Australian Dictionary of Biography

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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.


* *Proposed ADB entries for people who died 1991-2000* *

Feature Article

Sir David John Gordon (1865–1946)

Sir David John Gordon

Sir David John Gordon (1865-1946), journalist and politician, was born on 4 May 1865 at Riverton, South Australia, son of Thomas Gordon, carpenter, miller and farmer, and his wife Ann, née Stewart; they were both from Scotland. David received an elementary education at J. S. C. Cole's Stanley Grammar School, Watervale. His family moved to Yorke Peninsula and at 11 he was on a farm working large teams of horses. He then took a job with the Port Adelaide branch of John Darling & Son, grain merchants...

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What’s New

1996 Entries

Browse through the list of articles for people who died in 1996

8 March 2023

New ADB entries

Six new ADB entries added to website
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22 December 2022

Biography Footnotes

Biography Footnotes, no 23
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22 November 2022

New entries added to the ADB

Six new entries have been added to the ADB.
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Born This Day

Marian Fleming Harwood (1846–1934)

Marian Fleming Harwood (1846-1934), scholar, pacifist and philanthropist, was born on 9 March 1846 at Greenock, Scotland, daughter of Henry Reid, merchant, and his wife Catherine, née Barnett. Brought...

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