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.

The Australian Dictionary of Biography is Australia's pre-eminent dictionary of national biography. In it you will find concise, informative and fascinating descriptions of the lives of significant and representative persons in Australian history.

See what distinguished Australians are saying about the ADB.

The ADB is produced by the National Centre of Biography at the Australian National University.


 

New Project Launched!

Jimmy Clements

Explore the ADB’s new project The Quest for Indigenous Recognition produced by the National Centre of Biography, ANU, and Professor Mark McKenna. Launched by the Hon. Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians, on 11 September 2023, it details 23 key historical events in the long journey to the 2023 Referendum on the Voice.

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2 October 2024

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3 September 2024

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2 August 2024

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Born This Day

James Robert Lawson (1860–1926)

James Robert Lawson (1860-1926), auctioneer, was born on 10 October 1860 at Pyrmont, Sydney, second of nine children of James Lawson, publican from Scotland, and his Yorkshire-born wife Emma, née Glen....

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