Australian Dictionary of Biography

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Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

ADB Entries

Each ADB entry comprises all or most of the following elements, generally in the order listed here:

  • occupational description
  • birth date and place
  • parents' full names
  • parents' occupations at the time the subject was born
  • subject's education
  • chronological sketch of career
  • family details (marriage and children)
  • distinctions gained
  • critical assessment of his or her work or place in Australian history
  • evaluation of his or her character
  • physical description
  • religious denomination
  • publications
  • portraits and their location
  • death - cause (given for subjects who died at age 70 or younger)
  • death - date and place - details of burial or whether cremated
  • select bibliography of the major references used in the compilation of the entry