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]

112 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. Barangaroo (1750–1791) fisherwoman and prominent figure in Sydney’s early colony
  5. Barlow, Billy (1825–1860) Gubbi Gubbi headman and resistance leader
  6. Behrendt, Paul Arthur (1939–2006) radio operator, oral historian, and academic
  7. Bellear, Lisa (1961–2006) Indigenous activist, photographer, and radio broadcaster
  8. Benjamin (1860–1893) shepherd and prisoner
  9. Blackman, Thomas Henry (1843–1920) rural labourer, farmer, and bushrangers’ associate
  10. Bogan, Billy (1860–1900) tracker and fugitive
  11. Bohemia, Jack Nyibayarri (1903–1994) Gooniyandi cultural leader and police tracker
  12. Brice, Annie (1849–1931) domestic servant
  13. Brodie, Veronica (1941–2007) Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri community leader and activist
  14. Brooks, Walter Woodman (Jacky) (1906–1968) rugby league footballer
  15. Bugg, Charlotte (1813–1861) Birrpai matriarch
  16. Bugg, Mary Ann (1834–1905) Birrpai warrior and bushranger’s wife
  17. Bungarie, John (1829–1854) native police officer
  18. Bussamarai (1795–1852) Aboriginal resistance leader
  19. Carter, Roland Wenzel (1892–1960) soldier and community leader
  20. Chaseland, Tommy (1800–1869) sealer, whaler, and expatriate
  21. Cook, Sydney James (1937–1983) state ward and union organiser
  22. Coomindah, Mary Ann (1865–1929) gdanja (herbalist), healer, and domestic servant
  23. Cooper, Lynch (1906–1971) Yorta Yorta man, professional runner, and house painter
  24. Cootachah (1829–?) foundling, stock tracker, companion and explorer
  25. Croft, Joseph (Joe) (1925–1996) surveyor and public servant
  26. Crow, Jim (1825–1884) guide, host, and symbolic figure
  27. Dalaipi (1795–1863) headman, orator, rainmaker, guide, philosopher, and mediator
  28. Daniels, Dexter (1936–1999) union organiser and political activist
  29. Dennison, Charles (Charlie) (1846–1956) stockman, horse whisperer and cultural man
  30. Djimongurr (1910–1969) cultural storyteller, marrkidjbu (healer), and rock art artist
  31. Ferguson, Isobelle Mary (1926–2019) nurse and activist
  32. Field, Mary (1816–1928) Birrbay matriarch
  33. Foley, Shirley (1938–2000) Badtjala (Butchulla) woman and Senior Traditional Owner
  34. Fraser, Yoolya/Fulgentius (1899–1967) evangelist, drover and stockman
  35. Gaffney, Ellie Joan (1932–2007) nurse, midwife, writer, and Indigenous rights activist
  36. George, Tommy (TG) (1928–2016) Kuku Thaypan speaker, knowledge holder, and teacher
  37. Gida (1849–1899) mamus (chief) and Wild Australia Show performer
  38. Giles, Biddy/Biyarung (1810–1888) Dharawal woman and cultural leader
  39. Gumurdul, Nipper Marakarra (1882–1964) knowledge holder, ceremonial leader, cultural mediator, and artist
  40. Hanley, Kitty (Kate) (1845–1917) Wiradjuri matriarch and midwife
  41. Hippai, Peter (1835–1904) stockman and cultural custodian
  42. Irwin, William Allan (1878–1918) shearer and soldier
  43. Ivaritji (1849–1929) Kaurna elder, Kaurna language speaker, and weaver
  44. Jaminji, Paddy (1912–1996) artist
  45. Joshuing (1829–?) foundling, stock tracker, companion and explorer
  46. Jumbo (1855–1886) labourer, prisoner and inquiry attestant
  47. Jungarrayi, Gwoja (1895–1965) urrempel (ceremony) man, entrepreneur, and iconic figure
  48. Kabirriki, Nipper (1910–1987) research collaborator
  49. Kartinyeri, Doreen Maude (Dodo) (1935–2007) genealogist, historian and Aboriginal rights activist
  50. Kikatapula (1800–1832) Palawa resistance leader
112 matches · Page 1 of 3 · 1 | 2 | 3 | next
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