Australian Dictionary Of Biography A-H 1788 - 1850 Volume 1
Edited by AGL Shaw & CMH Clark
Published by Melbourne University Press: London & New York 1966 1st Edition
"The Australian Dictionary of Biography: A-H, 1788-1850, Volume 1, edited by A.G.L. Shaw and C.M.H. Clark, is the first volume in Australia's most authoritative reference work on its early settlers and historical figures. Covering individuals whose surnames begin with A through H, this volume provides detailed, meticulously researched biographies of people who played significant roles in the first decades after European settlement. It spans a broad spectrum of society, from governors, explorers, military officers, and judges to convicts, merchants, missionaries, and Indigenous leaders encountered in this formative period of Australian history. Each entry is based on primary sources and scholarly interpretation, presenting not only factual records but also the personal and social contexts that shaped the lives of these individuals.
The volume reflects the diversity and complexity of Australia's early colonial experience between 1788 and 1850. It highlights the influence of both prominent and lesser-known figures, acknowledging how convicts, settlers, and administrators all contributed to the foundations of Australian society. By documenting lives across different classes, professions, and ethnic backgrounds, the dictionary gives a collective portrait of the challenges of settlement, the harsh realities of transportation, the beginnings of self-government, and the expansion of frontier life. This first volume set the standard for the entire series, establishing the ADB as a cornerstone of Australian historical scholarship and a vital resource for researchers, genealogists, and anyone interested in the nation's origins.
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An excellent copy in very good condition. Includes Corrigenda. Small prior owner name on front endpaper. Please study photos to further understand condition.
