AustLit

'If Paul de Serville's latest book were entitled Thomas Browne: A Life, who would read it? As it is, Browne's pen name 'Rolf Boldrewood' will attract few enough readers, I suspect, despite Peter Carey's recent success with the True History of the Kelly Gang. 'Boldrewood', not Browne, is the name with currency, though the public is as likely to know his classic account of bushranging, Robbery under Arms, from one of its many film versions as from reading the original. De Serville reveals further reasons for sticking to the nom de plume: Browne wrote as 'Templar' and 'An Australian', and with the possibility of illegitimacy hanging over him, added an 'e' to his name to raise himself above the ruck and to associate himself with more illustrious forebears. In literature, and to a lesser extent in life, Browne was given to improving romantically on his family line and experiences.' (Introduction)