Until Laurence Halloran got to Australia in Governor Macquaries time, there was nowhere for anyone to get more than rudimentary schooling. But Australia's educational leader in convict times was a flawed and fascinating product of the 18th century.
Biographer Jan Worthington gives us the first book to present the whole, sordid story of the self-styled doctor of classical studies—who in England as a naval recruit was jailed for knifing a fellow sailor. Who had to flee South Africa when he enraged colonial authorities. Who trailed around wives, mistresses and 22 children in a career on four continents. Who impersonated a graduate and a clergyman, and was transported to N.S.W. after authorities found conterfeit print blocks in his flat.
With a gift of alienating people who mattered, Halloran had to keep on the move, so his life story is a stranger-than-fiction tour through the high society and low life of a bygone world: capital cities, battles, English villages, churches, prisons, rising colonies, schools and ships. Thoroughly researched and richly illustrated.
