Australian Dictionary of Biography

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: Use double quotes to search for a phrase

Browse by:

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.

Indigenous Australian Dictionary of Biography

This project seeks to add the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the ADB to redress an imbalance and make it more reflective of Australian history. [Read More]

115 matches · Page 1 of 3 · 1 | 2 | 3 | next
  1. Allen, William Irwin (1878–1918) shearer and soldier
  2. Apma, Undelya (Minnie) (1909–1990) Arrernte woman and domestic servant
  3. Arabanoo (1759–1789) Aboriginal leader
  4. Ballandella (1831–1863) stolen child
  5. Barangaroo (1750–1791) fisherwoman and prominent figure in Sydney’s early colony
  6. Barlow, Billy (1825–1860) Gubbi Gubbi headman and resistance leader
  7. Behrendt, Paul Arthur (1939–2006) radio operator, oral historian, and academic
  8. Bellear, Lisa (1961–2006) Indigenous activist, photographer, and radio broadcaster
  9. Benjamin (1860–1893) shepherd and prisoner
  10. Bennelong (1764–1813) Aboriginal conciliator and diplomat
  11. Blackman, Thomas Henry (1843–1920) rural labourer, farmer, and bushrangers’ associate
  12. Bogan, Billy (1860–1900) tracker and fugitive
  13. Bohemia, Jack Nyibayarri (1903–1994) Gooniyandi cultural leader and police tracker
  14. Brice, Annie (1849–1931) domestic servant
  15. Brodie, Veronica (1941–2007) Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri community leader and activist
  16. Brooks, Walter Woodman (Jacky) (1906–1968) rugby league footballer
  17. Bugg, Charlotte (1813–1861) Birrpai matriarch
  18. Bugg, Mary Ann (1834–1905) Birrpai warrior and bushranger’s wife
  19. Bungarie, John (1829–1854) native police officer
  20. Bussamarai (1795–1852) Aboriginal resistance leader
  21. Carter, Roland Wenzel (1892–1960) soldier and community leader
  22. Chaseland, Tommy (1800–1869) sealer, whaler, and expatriate
  23. Cook, Sydney James (1937–1983) state ward and union organiser
  24. Coomindah, Mary Ann (1865–1929) gdanja (herbalist), healer, and domestic servant
  25. Cooper, Lynch (1906–1971) Yorta Yorta man, professional runner, and house painter
  26. Cootachah (1829–?) foundling, stock tracker, companion and explorer
  27. Croft, Joseph (Joe) (1925–1996) surveyor and public servant
  28. Crow, Jim (1825–1884) guide, host, and symbolic figure
  29. Dalaipi (1795–1863) headman, orator, rainmaker, guide, philosopher, and mediator
  30. Daniels, Dexter (1936–1999) union organiser and political activist
  31. Dennison, Charles (Charlie) (1846–1956) stockman, horse whisperer and cultural man
  32. Djimongurr (1910–1969) cultural storyteller, marrkidjbu (healer), and rock art artist
  33. Ferguson, Isobelle Mary (1926–2019) nurse and activist
  34. Field, Mary (1816–1928) Birrbay matriarch
  35. Foley, Shirley (1938–2000) Badtjala (Butchulla) woman and Senior Traditional Owner
  36. Fraser, Yoolya/Fulgentius (1899–1967) evangelist, drover and stockman
  37. Gaffney, Ellie Joan (1932–2007) nurse, midwife, writer, and Indigenous rights activist
  38. George, Tommy (TG) (1928–2016) Kuku Thaypan speaker, knowledge holder, and teacher
  39. Gida (1849–1899) mamus (chief) and Wild Australia Show performer
  40. Giles, Biddy/Biyarung (1810–1888) Dharawal woman and cultural leader
  41. Gumurdul, Nipper Marakarra (1882–1964) knowledge holder, ceremonial leader, cultural mediator, and artist
  42. Hanley, Kitty (Kate) (1845–1917) Wiradjuri matriarch and midwife
  43. Hippai, Peter (1835–1904) stockman and cultural custodian
  44. Ivaritji (1849–1929) Kaurna elder, Kaurna language speaker, and weaver
  45. Jaminji, Paddy (1912–1996) artist
  46. Joshuing (1829–?) foundling, stock tracker, companion and explorer
  47. Jumbo (1855–1886) labourer, prisoner and inquiry attestant
  48. Jungarrayi, Gwoja (1895–1965) urrempel (ceremony) man, entrepreneur, and iconic figure
  49. Kabirriki, Nipper (1910–1987) research collaborator
  50. Kartinyeri, Doreen Maude (Dodo) (1935–2007) genealogist, historian and Aboriginal rights activist
115 matches · Page 1 of 3 · 1 | 2 | 3 | next
Sort direction