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Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney
Vincent, Alison

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Vincent, Alison

Author

Alison Vincent is a local historian

Abrahams, Esther as Author

Alt, Augustus as Author

Anderson, Charles as Author

Arndell, Thomas as Author

Balmain, William as Author

Barker, Thomas as Author

Barney, George as Author

Blaxcell, Garnham as Author

Boyd, Ben as Author

Broughton, William Grant as Author

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Abrahams, Esther

Transported to Sydney as a convict with a young daughter, Esther Abrahams rose to prominence in colonial society. She held land at Georges River, and was mistress of Annandale House until conflict with her son Robert led to her being declared unable to administer her estates.

Alt, Augustus

Hessian-born soldier and surveyor Augustus Alt is commemorated by Alt Street, Ashfield, and buried in Parramatta.

Anderson, Charles

Mineralogist, palaeontologist and museum director, Anderson was an important figure in Sydney's scientific and educational development in the first half of the twentieth century.

Arndell, Thomas

Caught up in the Rum Rebellion, Thomas Arndell was loyal to Bligh and lost his magistracy and pension. With his wife, a former convict, he founded a successful family and farm at Cattai.

Balmain, William

Arriving as an assistant surgeon with the First Fleet, William Balmain played an important role in the fledgling colony.

Barker, Thomas

Arriving in Sydney as an orphaned apprentice, Thomas Barker forged a life as a highly successful self-made man, testament to the opportunities available to men of all classes and backgrounds in the fledgling colony.

Barney, George

As the first Colonial Engineer, Captain George Barney aimed to strengthen Sydney's harbour defences, overseeing the design and construction of many major infrastructure projects, some of which still stand today, including Circular Quay and Fort Denison.

Blaxcell, Garnham

Arriving in 1802, Garnham Blaxcell found success in public service and in private business under Governor King, becoming a rich man. He was ousted by Governor Bligh and took part in the overthrow of Bligh known as the Rum Rebellion. With his business partner John Macarthur and others, he helped build Sydney Hospital, but fell into debt and left the colony in 1817.

Boyd, Ben

A flamboyant businessman who arrived in Sydney on his own ship, Wanderer, Boyd was an ambitious and somewhat dubious entrepreneur whose schemes failed because of a shortage of labour, and who eventually left the colony for California.

Broughton, William Grant

A retiring, even-tempered man, William Broughton won the respect of his peers, and showed concern for all his parishioners, including convicts and Aboriginal people, while travelling extensively throughout his jurisdiction.