John West (1809-1873) was Australian congregational minister, author and newspaper editor who emigrated from England to Tasmania in 1838. Affronted by the social, economic and moral effects of convictism, he was a leader in the movement seeking the abolition of transportation of convicts to the Australian Colonies. In 1854 West became the first official editor, of the Sydney Morning Herald and moved to Sydney from where he guided debate on matters of colonial, national and international importance. He is also regarded as one of the founders of Australian historical writing.