James Battye

James Sykes Battye (1871–1954) was an Australian librarian who was the first chief librarian of the Victoria Public Library in Perth, Western Australia. He was a leading historian, librarian and public figure in Western Australia and also served as a Chancellor of the University of Western Australia.

In 1951, The West Australian newspaper designated him as the Principal librarian and secretary of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Battye Street in the Canberra suburb of Bruce is named in his honour.

Biography
James Sykes Battye was born at Geelong, Victoria, on 20 November 1871. His father Daniel Battye, was a wool-weaver from Yorkshire in England. His mother was Maria, (née Quamby).

He married Sarah Elizabeth May in Melbourne on 15 May 1895.

Battye came to Western Australia from Victoria in 1894 to take up the position which he held until his death in 1954.

Although not directly within his professional role, he developed a strong interest in Western Australian history and began collecting material from early in the century.

Battye died on 15 July 1954.

The J S Battye Library is named in his honour. "Battye" is a local term for the library and also his History of Western Australia volume published at the time of the Western Australia centenary celebrations in 1929.

Published works
Battye was involved in a number of publishing projects – the Cyclopedia of Western Australia before the First World War, and the History of Western Australia, as well as the commemoration of the state's centenary in 1929 he was involved in the organising committee.


 * Facsimile edition published in 1985 by Hesperian Press, Carlisle, W.A. ISBN 0-85905-072-6.