Media: Hardcover (with dustjacket), 368 pages
Year: 1978
Publisher: Rigby

1000 Men and Women Who Have Made their Mark in Australia During Nearly 200 Years!

A book full of human interest that you can read for pleasure, and a valuable work of reference. 1000 concise biographies, specially prepared by well-known Australian writers, are illustrated with 235 photographs, paintings and engravings. Each section is arranged alphabetically for easy reference and the comprehensive subject index facilitates research.

17 SECTIONS COVER EVERY ASPECT OF AUSTRALIAN HISTORY AND LIFESTYLES!

• THE SEARCHERS: Men who solved the mysteries of the huge continent
• THE PIONEERS: Men and women who created Australia’s primary industry
• THE BUILDERS: Architects and engineers who built our cities and communications
• GUIDERS OF OUR DESTINY: Politicians, public servants and trade union leaders who have fashioned Australian society
• BIG BUSINESS: The industrialists, entrepreneurs and businessmen who shaped the Australian economy
• OUR DEFENDERS: Naval and military leaders and heroes
• THE AVIATORS: Civil and military aviators who became famous for their skill and daring
• THE SPORTING ARENA: Australian sportsmen and women who have become household names
• ECCENTRICS AND INDIVIDUALISTS: A medley of folk who became legendary for all kinds of unconventional reasons
• REFORMERS AND REVOLUTIONARIES: Men and women who have sought to improve our society
• THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW: The men and women who stood on either side of the law: bushrangers, criminals, lawyers and judges
• THE HEALERS: Men and women of the hospitals, operating theatres and research laboratories  
• THE INNOVATORS: Inventors, scientists, natural historians and others who have pioneered new fields in Australia
• THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT: Australian stars of stage, screen and radio
• THE WRITERS: Writers, poets and journalists who have won literary acclaim
• THE MUSIC MAKERS: Singers, composers and musicians who made Australia famous in the I international world of music
• THE CREATORS: Men and women who demonstrate the creative vigour of Australian artists I and sculptors

Preface

In selecting names for inclusion in this book, the editors had to make two definitions: ‘Who is an Australian?’ and ‘What is fame?’

If an Australian was defined solely as a person born in this country, then many significant figures would have to be omitted—for example ‘Billy’ Hughes, the Welsh migrant who became absolutely identified with Australia in the first World War. On the other hand there are such men as the early colonial governors, who had a profound historical effect but spent comparatively short periods in this country. Certainly they cannot be called Australians.

Therefore the choice was narrowed down to men and women born in Australia, even if they achieved fame overseas; to immigrants who spent the remainder of their lives in Australia; and to those who spent substantial portions of their lives in this country. The American Freeman Cobb, founder of Cobb & Co., is excluded because he was here for only three years. Another American, Walter Burley Griffin, is included not only because he planned Canberra, but also because he lived and worked here for many years after that.

The question of fame has been treated in the broadest possible sense. Fame, after all, means only that one is talked about. It derives from the Latin word fama: talk, rumour, report. A ‘famous’ person may be discussed as a national figure, or mainly within professional circles. He may be talked about because he is notorious, such as a murderer or bushranger, or because he has given important service to the community: cultural, political, social, commercial, or in any of a hundred different ways. The degrees of fame are infinite and include those which have faded with passing time. The intent of this book is to strike a balance between national, international, local and professional fame as it applies to Australians. Some of the names are secure in history, but the fame of some others was brightest in their own lifetimes. Nevertheless they merit inclusion because of their importance in the continuing story of Australia.

Australia always has such a ‘richness of people’ that the selection of 1000 for this book inevitably means the omission of many who may have equal claims to fame. The selection has been made to cover the widest possible time span and variety of activities.