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

William Clark Haines (1810–1866)

William Clark Haines

William Clark Haines (1810-1866), politician, was born at Hampstead, England, son of John Haines, physician, and his wife Jane, née Bliss. He was educated at Charterhouse and in 1829-32 at Caius College, Cambridge (B.A., 1833), where by family tradition he was a friend of Thackeray.

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What’s New

1996 Entries

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

28 August 2021

Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives

Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives project: Lives of the Men and Women of the House
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29 March 2021

ADB volume 19

ADB volume 19 published
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17 December 2020

Biography Footnotes

Biography Footnotes, no. 21
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Born This Day

John Barker (1815–1891)

John Barker (1815-1891), pastoralist and public servant, was born on 1 May 1815, eldest son of John Barker, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, and his wife Mary Anne, née Elridge. After education...

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