History of Australia [Paperback]

A wide-ranging three-volume history of Australia, published in 1883 by an English-born civil servant who spent his career there.George William Rusden (18191903) was born in England but spent most of his life in Australia. When he retired from the civil service he wrote this comprehensive  and controversial  work, published in 1883 in three volumes, covering the period from the initial settlement to the late nineteenth century.George William Rusden (18191903) was born in England but spent most of his life in Australia. When he retired from the civil service he wrote this comprehensive  and controversial  work, published in 1883 in three volumes, covering the period from the initial settlement to the late nineteenth century.When George William Rusden (18191903) was fourteen, his family emigrated from England to Australia, where he later became a prominent educationalist and civil servant. Already an author of numerous books and pamphlets, he began work on his History of Australia after his retirement, and it was published in 1883 in three volumes. Although the work is considered sympathetic to the Aboriginal people of Australia, it is also infused with Rusden's Tory politics, infuriating his critics  one wrote that the volumes were 'as untrustworthy as a partisan pamphlet well can be without deliberate dishonesty'. Despite initial criticism, these wide-ranging volumes form an important early contribution to the writing of Australian history. Volume 2 continues Rusden's examination of earlier governors, starting with Ralph Darling (17721858) and ending with George Gipps (17911847), before discussing immigration, the end of the practice of transporting prisoners, and the discovery of gold.9. Governor Darling; 10. Governor Bourke; 11. Governor Gipps; 12. General condition of colonies  alterations of constitutions  crown lands  immigration; 13. Cessation of transportation; 14. Discovery of gold.