City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

Murder, misadventure & miserable ends, tales from a colonial coroner's court, Catie Gilchrist

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

contains biographical information

illustrationsplatesmaps

index present

non fiction

Murder, misadventure & miserable ends

bibliography

Catie Gilchrist

tales from a colonial coroner's court

Murder in colonial Sydney was a surprisingly rare occurrence, so when it did happen, it caused a great sensation. People flocked to the scene of the crime, to the coroner's court and to the criminal courts to catch a glimpse of the accused. Henry Shiell was the Sydney City Coroner from 1866 to 1889. In the course of his unusually long career he delved into the lives, loves, crimes, homes and workplaces of colonial Sydneysiders. He learnt of envies, infidelities, passions, and loyalties, and just how short, sad and violent some lives were. But his court was also, at times, instrumental in calling for new laws and regulations to make life safer

Murder, misadventure and miserable ends