The Aborigines of Western Australia

by Albert Frederick Calvert

This short essay on the Aborigines of Western Australia is primarily useful as a historical document. Even at the time this was written there were few Aborigines remaining in this area, and so even scraps of information like this are important. The text is particularly revealing as to Victorian attitudes towards Aborigines. Every paragraph of this piece needs to be read with a careful eye for underlying racist assumptions. That said, the author was well intentioned. Calvert, who lists literally dozens of academic affiliations on the title page, does criticize his contemporaries for their treatment of Aborigines as subhumans. Throughout the essay he attempts to demonstrate that the native Australians have a complete cultural inventory. He notes that many of the Aboriginal beliefs and practices which seem strange to Europeans are not that different than some listed in the Bible. He ends with a plea for protection of the Aborigines.

47 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1973

About the author

Albert Frederick Calvert (1872-1946), was an English author, traveller and mining engineer

Reviews

[Merle Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little history

I have never read any history or the aborigines prior to this book. It gave sufficient information to interest me to read mor about these people. Points were taken away for the set-up and the language of the material which made it difficult to read. However, upon further consideration, recognizing that this was the style of the times in which it was written I have added back a star.