Henry Parkes was the dominant political figure in Australia over the second half of the nineteenth century. First coming to prominence with the campaign to end convict transportation, Parkes was still in the public eye some fifty years later playing a central role in the creation of a federated Australia.
In 'Henry Parkes: Father of Federation' Robert Travers tracks the political - and fascinating personal - life of this journalist, public figure and legislator, from his days as a radical penniless migrant to feted elder statesman. Dubbed "the wily knight" by 'The Bulletin', and seen as a charlatan, a legend, an opportunist, and the Grand Old Man of Australian politics, Parkes was the consummate political pragmatist and survivor. No other biography could better tell the story of Australia's growth from a collection of dependent colonies to a united and democratic nation.
