Uses of Literacy in Colonial Australia

Relying on autobiographical documents, this book analyses what Australians read in the 19th century, as well as what they wrote, in terms of personal and everyday, non-literary writings. It emphasises the Britishness of colonial society, without forgetting specifically Australian inflections of readers' responses. Australian reading embraced wide-ranging tastes.

About the author

Martyn Lyons is Emeritus Professor in History at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and a specialist in the history of reading and writing practices.

Product details

• Authors: Martyn Lyons, Lyons Martyn
• Publisher: Anthem Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 01.12.2026
• EAN: 9781839995170
• ISBN: 978-1-83999-517-0
• No. of pages: 250
• Series: Anthem Studies in Australian History
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; History, LITERARY CRITICISM / Books & Reading, HISTORY / Australia & New Zealand, LITERARY CRITICISM / Australian & Oceanian, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900, Social and cultural history, Australasian and Pacific history