 His father, George Alexander Syme (1821–1894), a brother of David Syme and Ebenezer Syme, was a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and became a Baptist clergyman in England.On account of failing health he followed his brother, David, to Australia in 1862 and joined the staff of "The Age".He became editor of the Leader from which he retired in 1885 and died on 31 December 1894.