The Snake Circle

The Scandalous Life of convict Sir Henry Browne Hayes.

Christine Maher

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

BIG SKY PUBLISHING
01 January 2030

History of architecture; Autobiography: historical, political & military; History; Australasian & Pacific history; Social discrimination; Migration, immigration & emigration

‘A captivating tale of a convict ship captain’

‘Maher’s impressive biography…’

Professor Ross Fitzgerald

Convict, adventurer, reprobate and fortune hunter

In the early days of colonial Australia, where survival demanded resilience and ambition, Sir Henry Browne Hayes stood out as a man of contradictions. A knighted sheriff from Cork, Ireland, turned notorious convict, Hayes led a scandalous life that defied expectations. Arrested for the audacious crime of abducting a wealthy Quaker heiress on a dare, Hayes was transported to New South Wales, where his aristocratic background and flair for theatrics turned him into an infamous figure.

Hayes' time in Australia was marked by rebellion, intrigue, and a flair for defiance. He played a controversial role in major historical events, including the Castle Hill convict uprising and the Rum Rebellion, cementing his legacy as both an instigator and a survivor of colonial chaos. Despite numerous arrests and exiles to notorious convict outposts like Norfolk Island and Van Diemens Land, Hayes managed to carve out an unusual existence.

With newly uncovered details, The Snake Circle offers the definitive biography of this captivating figure. From his infamous snake-infested sly-grog operation at the original Vaucluse House to the shadow he cast over Australia’s early convict history, this is the untold story of a man who turned scandal into legend.

By: Christine Maher
Imprint: BIG SKY PUBLISHING
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 5,842mm, Width: 3,886mm,
ISBN: 9781923300521
ISBN 10: 1923300520
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 01 January 2030
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Christine Maher has a specialist knowledge of convict and early colonial history.