The Howson family was a show-business dynasty founded in Australia, several of whose members went on to further success in America, London and Europe.
Their children were given instruction in music and singing, with satisfactory results, particularly their daughter Emma and sons Frank and John.
In 1841 his sons Frank, John, and Henry were recruited by theatre manager Anne Clarke, who needed talent for her theatre in Hobart, Tasmania, and together with Frank's wife Emma and child, left on the ship Sydney, arriving in Hobart on 28 January 1842.
On 2 March 1844 they were joined by their father Francis, two youngest brothers Frederick and Walter, also a Miss (perhaps C.) Howson, yet to be identified.
He took part in the family's presentation of Handel's Messiah at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, Victoria in March 1863,[6] died from exposure in Parramatta, New South Wales, a month later.