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Flashy, Fun and Functional
How Things Helped to Invent Melbourne's Gold Rush Mayor
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Flashy, Fun and Functional
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See moreExcavations at the site in 1982 by Judy Birmingham and Associates uncovered a rich and important archaeological record of John Thomas Smith's lives in the form of a cesspit rubbish deposit.
This colonial archaeological record examines the artefacts recovered from the townhouse of Melbourne's Gold Rush Mayor, John Thomas Smith.
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Description
Against the backdrop of embryonic Melbourne, John Thomas Smith, publican and builder, left behind his currency roots to become an influential member of society. A widely recognised figure about town, smoking a cutty pipe and wearing a white top hat, in 1851 he became Lord Mayor of Melbourne; he went on to be re-elected seven times.
His scandalous marriage to the daughter of an Irish Catholic publican, however, and his awkwardly appropriated gentility, made him unpopular with certain sections of society. From 1849 to 1860, Smith and his family occupied 300 Queen Street, Melbourne, one of the first true residential townhouses in the city.
Flashy, Fun and Functional: How Things Helped to Invent Melbourne's Gold Rush Mayor explores the things they left behind.
Series: Studies in Australasian Historical Archaeology
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Flashy, Fun and Functional
Against the backdrop of embryonic Melbourne, John Thomas Smith, publican and builder, left behind his currency roots to become an influential member of society. A widely recognised figure about town, smoking a cutty pipe and wearing a white top hat, in 1851 he became Lord Mayor of Melbourne; he went on to be re-elected seven times. His scandalous marriage to...Paperback$4799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Dr Sarah Hayes offers an insightful exploration into the material culture of Australia's early immigrants. Her work provides a nuanced interpretation of how the middle-class, with aspirations and ostentation, is visible in the archaeological record. Pamela Ricardi praises it as a significant contribution to understanding the 19th-century class dynamics in Australian historical archaeology.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781743326152
Publisher: Sydney University Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 21 September 2018
Country: Australia
Imprint: Sydney University Press
Illustration: 43 b&w ill., 8 col. ill.
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 6.0mm
Width: 210.0mm
Height: 297.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 84
About the Author
Sarah Hayes is a historical archaeologist who researches quality of life and social mobility in 19th-century Victoria through the lives, homes and rubbish of everyday people. She works within the Heritage and Indigeneity stream of the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University.
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