Have done lots of googling I can't really seem to find an accurate
account of Dawn's founding date and the background to it.  Wikipedia
states 1943 as its beginning but my uni library has it on Microfilm
back to Oct 1941.  Other websites suggest 1938.  I'm pretty certain it
was founded by Jinnah, anything else would be great, cheers.

Hello blueincubus

Here's an account of the Muslim League's early publications which should help. 

"In 1938, Urdu weekly 'Manshoor' edited by Syed Hasan Riaz appeared
from Delhi as an organ of All India Muslim League.
. . .
In 1939, Muslim League established a Propaganda and Press Fund and
Jinnah appealed to the Muslims to "contribute generously to the Press
Propaganda Fund".
. . .
In 1941, the weekly Dawn was appeared from Delhi as an organ of the
Muslim League. At this occasion, Jinnah appealed to the Muslims on
October 26, 1941, stating that:
"I am glad that at last an English weekly, the Dawn, is founded and
established in Delhi, the capital city of India, which is at present
the nerve centre of all political activities.  . . . "
. . .
Dawn was converted into a daily newspaper in October 1942, while the
Manshoor was published as a daily from December 35, 1944, the birthday
of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
. . .
Another newspaper the "Morning News", appeared from Calcutta in 1943,
also supported and publicised the policy and programme of AIML."

From: 
Jinnah and the Muslim press
By Aqeel-uz-zafar Khan
"The author is ex-Senior Research Fellow, Quaid-i-Azam Academy, Karachi."
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/14aug/14aug2004/default.htm#2

The author's connection with Quaid-i-Azam Academy suggests he has had
access to relevant sources.
http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/divisions/culture-sports-division/media/Quaid.htm 

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes - Leli


Search:

"muslim league" dawn founded site:pk
://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22muslim+league%22+dawn+founded+site:pk&hl=en&lr=&start=10&sa=N

Excellent thankyou!