Convicts And The Colonies

(Paperback)

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Professor Shaw examines the working of the transportation system far beyond the "horror story" level, and puts it in its proper place as one of various modes of punishment used in the English penal system, considering its reformatory as well as its deterrent features. He reminds us that Australia was not the only colony to which British statesmen wanted to send their felons, and discusses projects of transportation to the American colonies and South Africa. He incidentally throws light on some of the considerations which led to the foundation of Australia, and the "choice of Botany Bay". His discussion of the character of the convicts settles the long arguments about the criminality of Australia's founding fathers, by subjecting their records to rigorous scrutiny.

Author Bio

A. G. L. Shaw is Emeritus Professor of History at Monash University and has had a distinguished career as a scholar in Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academies of the Humanities and of the Social Sciences and has been president of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. In 1982 he was awarded the A.O. for services to education. Professor Shaw has published widely.