Sir John Lavington Bonython was a distinguished Prince Alfred College Old Scholar whose leadership helped shape Adelaide's civic, business and community life during the first half of the twentieth century. Educated at Prince Alfred College, he was the eldest son of newspaper proprietor and philanthropist Sir John Langdon Bonython and joined the family newspaper business after overseas travel in 1896. He became closely involved in the management of The Advertiser, The Chronicle and The Express, later serving as editor of the Saturday Express and as a director of The Advertiser.
A passionate advocate for Adelaide, Bonython devoted more than fifty years to public service through the Adelaide City Council. He served as Mayor of Adelaide from 1911 to 1913 and later as Lord Mayor from 1927 to 1930, championing the preservation of the city's park lands, heritage, and public institutions. His civic leadership extended to numerous organisations, including the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the Municipal Tramways Trust, and Minda Home, where he served for more than six decades and was president for twenty-six years.
Knighted in 1935 for his outstanding contribution to South Australia, Sir Lavington was widely respected for his commitment to community service, responsible journalism, and civic improvement. He died in Adelaide in 1960, leaving a legacy of leadership, philanthropy and public service that continues to be remembered across South Australia. For Prince Alfred College, he remains an exemplary Old Scholar whose influence helped shape the city and community he loved.