'Cyril Hopkins wrote his life of Marcus Clarke over a century ago,1 but until now it has never been published in whole or in part. Although known to a few scholars, it has not been readily accessed, partly because of copyright restrictions, and partly because of its handwritten state.' (Introduction)

'For many years past it has been evident to me from the recurrent allusions to his personal characteristics and genius in the literary columns of the Australian press as well as from verbal communications and letters from friends that great interest still attaches in literary circles in Australia and perhaps elsewhere to the name of Marcus Clarke. No complete biography has yet been published of him; and I think I may claim to have read every memoir and obituary notice that has appeared since his premature death forty-three years ago. All such have this defect that they omit to a great extent the circumstances of his early life and the latter were unusual and of a nature to exercise a powerful influence upon one of his temperament and character.' (Introduction)