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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'In 1788 a young gentlewoman raised in the vicarage of an English village married a handsome, haughty and penniless army officer. In any Austen novel that would be the end of the story, but for the real-life woman who became an Australian farming entrepreneur, it was just the beginning.
'John Macarthur took credit for establishing the Australian wool industry and would feature on the two-dollar note, but it was practical Elizabeth who managed their holdings—while dealing with the results of John’s manias: duels, quarrels, court cases, a military coup, long absences overseas, grandiose construction projects and, finally, his descent into certified insanity.
'Michelle Scott Tucker shines a light on an often-overlooked aspect of Australia’s history in this fascinating story of a remarkable woman.' (Publication Summary)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Other Formats
- Sound recording.
Works about this Work
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Nichola Garvey Review of Kate Grenville, A Room Made of Leaves and of Michelle Scott Tucker, Elizabeth Macarthur : A Life at the Edge of the World
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Journal of Biography and History , no. 6 2022; (p. 213-217)
— Review of A Room Made of Leaves 2020 single work novel ; Elizabeth Macarthur: A Life at the Edge of the World 2018 single work biography 'Every generation claims the right to reinterpret the past from the present standpoint, which is why we see continual upgrades or modern iterations of an historical figure. Styles change, as do emphases, even when source materials do not. Why though, do some historical figures continue to ignite the curiosity of biographers? Certainly, an exceptional life story helps but sometimes it comes down to the richness of the archive. In Elizabeth Macarthur’s case, she possesses both.'(Introduction)
-
Nichola Garvey Review of Kate Grenville, A Room Made of Leaves and of Michelle Scott Tucker, Elizabeth Macarthur : A Life at the Edge of the World
2022
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Journal of Biography and History , no. 6 2022; (p. 213-217)
— Review of A Room Made of Leaves 2020 single work novel ; Elizabeth Macarthur: A Life at the Edge of the World 2018 single work biography 'Every generation claims the right to reinterpret the past from the present standpoint, which is why we see continual upgrades or modern iterations of an historical figure. Styles change, as do emphases, even when source materials do not. Why though, do some historical figures continue to ignite the curiosity of biographers? Certainly, an exceptional life story helps but sometimes it comes down to the richness of the archive. In Elizabeth Macarthur’s case, she possesses both.'(Introduction)
Awards
- 2019 shortlisted CHASS Australia Prizes — Australia Book Prize
- 2018 shortlisted Ashurst Business Literature Prize
- New South Wales,
- 1788-1850