AustLit

Carboni received his basic schooling in Rome, and attended the University of Urbino between 1834 and 1837. He spoke five languages and was an interpreter in London before coming to Australia, where he worked as a gold-digger and shepherd, and lived with Aboriginal people. He became a leading figure in the Eureka Stockade on the Ballarat goldfields in 1854. He returned there to write a book, after spending some months in gaol charged with treason. He was acquitted of the charge. Carboni was well known in Melbourne literary circles during his time there. On returning to Turin, he settled down to writing and then became involved in the wars of independence.