A Statistical, historical and political description of the colony of New South Wales and its dependent settlements in Van Diemen's Land ... / by W.C. Wentworth. 1820
22.0 x 3.5 cm (book measurement (inventory)) | RCIN 1024150
-
Born on Norfolk Island, William Charles Wentworth was the first European-born Australian to achieve recognition outside Australia. As a young man, he was part of an expedition to cross the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, which provided new grazing land for the colony.
In 1816, Wentworth travelled to Britain to study law and in 1819, he published the first edition of this book on New South Wales. In it, he advocated encouraging free settlers to come to the colony, establishing an elective assembly and introducing trial by jury. On returning to Australia, he spent the remainder of his political life fighting for the rights of convicts and in 1853 led the committee that drafted the constitution of New South Wales.
Provenance
Purchased by George IV from Budd & Calkin, 23 October 1822, for 16 shillings (RA GEO/MAIN/28793). On the book's arrival in the Royal Library in the 1830s it was stamped with the binding tool of William IV.
-
Creator(s)
(publisher)(printer)Acquirer(s)
-
Measurements
22.0 x 3.5 cm (book measurement (inventory))
Category