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.

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]

104 matches · Page 1 of 3 · 1 | 2 | 3 | next
  1. Apma, Undelya (Minnie) (1909–1990) Arrernte woman and domestic servant
  2. Arabanoo (1759–1789) Aboriginal leader
  3. Ballandella (1831–1863) stolen child
  4. Barlow, Billy (1825–1860) Gubbi Gubbi headman and resistance leader
  5. Behrendt, Paul Arthur (1939–2006) radio operator, oral historian, and academic
  6. Bellear, Lisa (1961–2006) Indigenous activist, photographer, and radio broadcaster
  7. Blackman, Thomas Henry (1843–1920) rural labourer, farmer, and bushrangers’ associate
  8. Bogan, Billy (1860–1900) tracker and fugitive
  9. Bohemia, Jack Nyibayarri (1903–1994) Gooniyandi cultural leader and police tracker
  10. Brice, Annie (1849–1931) domestic servant
  11. Brodie, Veronica (1941–2007) Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri community leader and activist
  12. Brooks, Walter Woodman (Jacky) (1906–1968) rugby league footballer
  13. Bugg, Charlotte (1813–1861) Birrpai matriarch
  14. Bugg, Mary Ann (1834–1905) Birrpai warrior and bushranger’s wife
  15. Bungarie, John (1829–1854) native police officer
  16. Bussamarai (1795–1852) Aboriginal resistance leader
  17. Carter, Roland Wenzel (1892–1960) soldier and community leader
  18. Chaseland, Tommy (1800–1869) sealer, whaler, and expatriate
  19. Cook, Sydney James (1937–1983) state ward and union organiser
  20. Coomindah, Mary Ann (1865–1929) gdanja (herbalist), healer, and domestic servant
  21. Cooper, Lynch (1906–1971) Yorta Yorta man, professional runner, and house painter
  22. Croft, Joseph (Joe) (1925–1996) surveyor and public servant
  23. Crow, Jim (1825–1884) guide, host, and symbolic figure
  24. Dalaipi (1795–1863) headman, orator, rainmaker, guide, philosopher, and mediator
  25. Daniels, Dexter (1936–1999) union organiser and political activist
  26. Dennison, Charles (Charlie) (1846–1956) stockman, horse whisperer, and cultural man
  27. Djimongurr (1910–1969) cultural storyteller, marrkidjbu (healer), and rock art artist
  28. Ferguson, Isobelle Mary (1926–2019) nurse and activist
  29. Field, Mary (1816–1928) Birrbay matriarch
  30. Foley, Shirley (1938–2000) Badtjala (Butchulla) woman and Senior Traditional Owner
  31. Fraser, Yoolya/Fulgentius (1899–1967) evangelist, drover and stockman
  32. Gaffney, Ellie Joan (1932–2007) nurse, midwife, writer, and Indigenous rights activist
  33. George, Tommy (TG) (1928–2016) Kuku Thaypan speaker, knowledge holder, and teacher
  34. Gida (1849–1899) mamus (chief) and Wild Australia Show performer
  35. Giles, Biddy/Biyarung (1810–1888) Dharawal woman and cultural leader
  36. Gumurdul, Nipper Marakarra (1882–1964) knowledge holder, ceremonial leader, cultural mediator, and artist
  37. Hanley, Kitty (Kate) (1845–1917) Wiradjuri matriarch and midwife
  38. Hippai, Peter (1835–1904) stockman and cultural custodian
  39. Irwin, William Allan (1878–1918) shearer and soldier
  40. Ivaritji (1849–1929) Kaurna elder, Kaurna language speaker, and weaver
  41. Jaminji, Paddy (1912–1996) artist
  42. Jungarrayi, Gwoja (1895–1965) urrempel (ceremony) man, entrepreneur, and iconic figure
  43. Kabirriki, Nipper (1910–1987) research collaborator
  44. Kikatapula (1800–1832) Palawa resistance leader
  45. Kudajarnd (1845–1905) elder, senior law man, and Wild Australia Show performer
  46. Kudnarto (1832–1855) Kaurna and Ngadjuri landholder
  47. Kurringy (1798–1870) Aboriginal resistance leader, sailor, and sealer
  48. Lawrie, Mickey Free (1868–1947) whale songman and marban bai (magic-way leader)
  49. Lester, Nellie (1924–1989) nurse
  50. Little, James Kunkus (1911–1972) entertainer and gum leaf band player
104 matches · Page 1 of 3 · 1 | 2 | 3 | next
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