Author(s): Heather Knight

Australian Biography

An investigation of Banjo Paterson's ancestry which unravels the family's connections to well-known authors and poets such as Robbie Burns and Miles Franklin, war heroes, bushrangers Ben Hall, Johnny Gilbert and Jack O'Meally, pioneers and wealthy pastoralists and plantation and slave owners. It explores the personal lives of Banjo's father, uncles and aunt, their contribution to society, the lands they occupied or purchased - and lost again; their family troubles and tragedies; their children's lives - and their legacy. The mystery of what happened to Banjo's uncles, William and James is solved and their burial places are revealed. The Paterson family left more than one famous poet, there were numerous talented writers, musicians, artists and sportsmen and women amongst them. They truly were a remarkable family.