Vagrant Lives in Colonial Australasia

A deeply researched, commanding account of an important but neglected area of history. Coleborne applies her magisterial expertise in law, society and mental health to analyse the colonial dispossessed and disenfranchised. Sensitive storytelling places humanity at the forefront. An essential contribution to the study of mobility in precarious times. – Katie Pickles, Professor of History, University of Canterbury, New ZealandThis is an engagingly written book, which is thoughtful in its reflections and insightful in its conclusions. * Australian Historical Studies *This book offers a model of interdisciplinary inquiry. * History Australia *

Catharine Coleborne is Professor of History at the University of Newcastle, Australia, where she is also the Head of School of Humanities and Social Science. Her research interests include historical understandings of mobility, mental illness, institutions, medicine, law and health in colonial Australia and New Zealand.