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David Scott Mitchell (19 March 1836 – 24 July 1907) founder of the Mitchell library, Sydney, Australia. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1836 ( MDCCCXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The State Library of New South Wales (also known as the Mitchell Library) is a large public library owned by the state of New South Wales, Australia Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

Mitchell was born in Sydney; his father, Dr James Mitchell, had come to Australia in 1821 as an army surgeon, and two years later was appointed assistant surgeon at the military hospital, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Macquarie Street is the easternmost street of Sydney 's Central business district. He afterwards became the owner of 50,000 acres (200 km²) in the Hunter River valley which included rich coal-bearing land. He married in 1833 Augusta Maria, daughter of Dr Helenus Scott. In 1837 he left the hospital and lived in Cumberland-street, Sydney. There his son grew up in an atmosphere of culture and learning, and at the age of 16 became a student in the first year of the University of Sydney. The University of Sydney (informally Sydney Uni or USyd) is the oldest university in Australia He graduated B. A. in 1856 with honours in classics, and M. A. in 1859.

Mitchell was called to the bar but did not practise, and assisted in the management of the Hunter River estates. The Call to the Bar is a legal Term of art in most Common law jurisdictions He was quite a normal young man, a good cricketer and dancer, a skilful whist player, and a good amateur actor. Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries He was already forming a collection of books. His health, however, was not perfect, he felt the death of his mother very much, and after his father died in 1869, there was a lawsuit over the will and a publication of family affairs very distasteful to a man of sensitive disposition. He began to withdraw from the world, and the formation of his library became his chief interest. He built up a fine library of English literature, specializing in poetry and sixteenth and seventeenth century books, and gradually began to collect early Australian books and manuscripts. The term English literature refers to Literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by Writers not necessarily from Once a week he went the round of the bookshops and his enthusiasm and perseverance were unbounded. He had a fine memory and great taste and discrimination, but as time went on he saw that even the most obscure and apparently worthless pamphlet might throw some light on its time. Though withdrawn from society he welcomed genuine students such as Arthur Wilberforce Jose and Bertram Stevens, especially if they were interested in Australian problems. Arthur Wilberforce Jose ( 4 September 1863 – 22 January 1934) was an English - Australian Historian and editor Bertram Stevens ( 8 October 1872 – 14 February, 1922) was Australian journal editor ( Single Tax; Native Companion

Mitchell was anxious that the state might have the benefit of his collections, but was in much doubt as to the best way of bringing this about. Eventually, after a conference with the Sydney public librarian, he informed the trustees in October 1898 that he was willing to bequeath his collection to the library, if a suitable building were provided and if the books would be available to students. The offer was accepted. There was, however, a long delay in starting a building, and Mitchell felt obliged to suggest that the bequest would be cancelled if the books were not housed a year after the owner's death. In June 1905 the premier, Joseph Carruthers, instructed the government architect to prepare designs for a library, and the work was begun early in 1906. Sir Joseph Hector McNeil Carruthers ( 21 December 1857 – 10 December 1932) was an Australian politician and Premier of New South Mitchell died on 24 July 1907 and his great collection became the property of the state. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year In addition a sum of £70,000 was bequeathed, the income from which has been spent in adding to the collection.

In 1936, in commemoration of the centenary of Mitchell's birth, the trustees of the public library of New South Wales published The Mitchell Library, Sydney, Historical and Descriptive Notes. Written by the librarian Miss Ida Leeson, this volume gives some suggestion of the wealth of original manuscripts and books that may be found in the library.

Mitchell's retiring nature would not allow him to agree to having his portrait painted. That prefixed to the centenary volume was done from a photograph, after his death. Mitchell was buried in Rookwood Cemetery. Rookwood Cemetery (officially named Rookwood Necropolis) is the largest multicultural necropolis in the Southern Hemisphere located in Sydney He would never be interviewed and his kindliness was only known to the few students who had the privilege of being associated with him. He never married but was glad to think that the library would be a permanent memorial of his family.

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