A major new work of Australian history and literary studies. George Barrington (c.1758-1804), gentleman pickpocket, convict, and sometime constable in the penal settlement of New South Wales, was the most famous inhabitant of the Australian colonies at the turn of the nineteenth century. His fame rested on the vast number of popular narratives published under his name, works which in reality he had nothing to do with. Through a mix of plagiarism and invention, the "Barrington" books were probably the most widely circulated accounts of the early years of European settlement in Australia. 

This book traces the genesis of the Barrington books in rich and evocative detail, offering a compelling account of publishing history in England and on the continent, and displaying the subtle machinations of the book trade in a world without copyright laws. Throughout, The Celebrated George Barrington combines the rigour of book history and bibliographical research with a fresh and engaging style.     

Elegantly printed in two-colours, and bound in red saifu cloth with a full-colour dustjacket, the work includes some twenty-six illustrations, all taken from the early Barrington books.

We are also drawing your attention to a new website by Nathan Garvey, who is now on a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Queensland. We published Nathan's definitive work on the books attributed to George Barrington in 2008 and this new online resource, is an ongoing addenda, corrigenda and news page relating to the Barrington books.

http://www.georgebarrington.blogspot.com/

ISBN 9781875567546
AUD $64.00 + Shipping.