The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Nixon, Right Rev. Francis Russell
Nixon, Right Rev. Francis Russell, D.D., sometime Bishop of Tasmania, son of Rev. Robert Nixon, of North Cray, Kent, was born in the year 1803. He was educated at St. John's College, Oxford, and after taking his degree was elected a Fellow of his college. Having taken orders, he was for some time chaplain to the Embassy at Naples. On the erection of Tasmania into a bishopric, Dr. Nixon was appointed first bishop by the Queen's letters patent, and was consecrated in Westminster Abbey on August 24th, 1842. On his arrival in Tasmania he was enthroned in St. David's Cathedral, Hobart, on July 27th, 1843. His administration of the diocese was marked by great energy and decision. In 1857 he attended the first synod of colonial bishops held in Sydney. In 1862 his state of health compelled him to leave Tasmania for England, and in 1864 he resigned his see, and was presented to an English living. Dr. Nixon was an accomplished scholar, and an artist of considerable ability. He was author of "Lectures on the Church Catechism" (second edition, London, 1844), a book which went through four editions. He died at Lago Maggiore, Italy, on April 7th, 1879, aged 76.