The full story of Georgiana Huntly McCrae, illegitimate daughter of a
Scottish duke, professional painter in the 1820s Edinburgh and settler's wife in
early Melbourne is told here for the first time. Until now Georgiana has been
known only for the 1840s Melbourne journals edited by her grandson Hugh McCrae.
Biographer Brenda Niall has traced Georgiana McCrae from her London art
student days to her death in suburban Melbourne in 1890. After a childhood among
artists, French emigres and English radicals in Regency London, Georgiana lived
as a young woman at her father's castle in the Scottish Highlands.
A gifted portraitist, professionally trained in London, she earned her own
living in Edinburgh before making the choice between marriage and a career.
After marrying Andrew McCrae in 1830 she followed her husband in his erratic
progress from Edinburgh to London and then to Port Phillip, where he was
successively lawyer, squatter and goldfields magistrate. The varied fortunes of
the McCraes are recounted in a story whose tragic elements are counterbalanced
by the strength of mind, lively wit and creativity of Georgiana.
This biography draws on much unpublished material - diaries, letters and
other manuscripts - to present a remarkable talented, independent woman who
lived in vastly different social world and experience personal tragedy as well
as creative achievement.
Contents:
Acknowledgements
Author's Note
The Gordons and the McCraes
Prologue: 'Dreams and Dissolving Views'
1. Somers Town
2. Ambitions
3. Gordon Castle
4. The Spanish Laird
5. Choices
6. Marriage
7. Waiting
8. Interlude
9. Melbourne Town
10. 'A House for Me'
11. A Gentleman's Wife
12. Our Mountain Home
13. Gold
14. The Duchess's Will
15. The Matriarch
Epilogue: 'Remember Me ...'
Catalogue of Plates
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Reviews:
'From the award-winning author Brenda Niall, a fresh triumph!' - Nick Walker,
Australian
'Brenda Niall has given us a lively and fascinating portrait of a complex
woman of distinction' - Cassandra Pybus, Sydney Morning Herald
