Book launch

Land of Rogues and Scoundrels: Alison Alexander

Land of Rogues and Scoundrels is the culmination of Alison Alexander’s pioneering research into early British colonial Australia. The people featured here are all ‘the biggest rogues and scoundrels in the world’, wrote William Williamson in Hobart in 1820 – though, having robbed his sister of every penny she possessed, he was just as much a rogue as any.

Alexander shows how a heterogeneous jumble of British convicts, guards and free settlers like Williamson established a functioning society where people could live in reasonable security and comfort. 

It began with an elite ruling class, a small middle class and the lower-class doing what they were told, either convict or free. But the upper-class members were so corrupt, the opportunities for the lower-class so good, that they created a parody of England, or an inversion, this society coming to a head under the ludicrous rule of the drunken, dissolute but gentleman Lt. Gov. Thomas Davey. Governor Arthur’s arrival in 1824 established law and order, but it was too late. By their behaviour the elite had lost their position, and the lower class had gained it, to form a more egalitarian society.

This new book shows how in 1804 colonialists started from scratch: mainly farming, with some merchants, tradesmen and public servants. It was a rough pioneer society, and people tried to make a living in any way they could, by hook or by crook. There were few restraining influences such as clergymen, teachers, effective police or women. People were largely free to rob, lie, cheat, plunder, even kill as they wished (or felt necessary). Fleecing the British government was especially popular.

Yet by 1831, a viable British society existed. Rough and ready, but by and large with people living as comfortably as in Britain – for working people, more so.

Join Alison at the Afterword Cafe. Tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink.