Allan Macpherson
Allan Macpherson was a Scottish poet and author. He was born in Glasgow and educated at the University of Glasgow. He was a member of the Glasgow Literary Society and the Glasgow Poetry Society. Macpherson wrote several books of poetry, including The Angel of the Desert and Other Poems, The Poet's Dream and Other Poems, and The Poet's Vision and Other Poems. He also wrote several novels, including The Laird of Glencairn and The Laird of Glencairn's Daughter. Macpherson was a popular lecturer and was... AI Generated Content
Biography
Allan Macpherson was born on October 24, 1818, in Blairgowrie, Scotland, to William and Jessie Macpherson (née Chalmers). At the age of eleven, he emigrated with his parents to Sydney, Australia in 1829, arriving during the early colonial period when the continent was still largely unsettled. He received his education at Cape's School in Sydney, which provided him with the foundation for his later business and political endeavors in the expanding colony.
As a young man, Macpherson became a squatter and pastoralist, establishing significant rural properties including Keera near Bingara, New South Wales, and Mount Abundance near Roma in Queensland. His experiences as a squatter brought him into constant conflict with the Indigenous peoples of the Mandandanji nation, encounters that he later documented in his writings. These conflicts reflect the broader tensions of colonial expansion and the displacement of Aboriginal communities during this period of Australian settlement.
Macpherson's political career began with an unsuccessful candidacy for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Central Cumberland in 1860. He succeeded at the 1863 by-election and held the seat through the 1864-5 election. His parliamentary career was marked by controversy, including the first physical fight in the Legislative Assembly in February 1868, when he engaged in a violent altercation with Benjamin Lee. He resigned from parliament in December 1868 and returned with his family to Scotland, where he died in Blairgowrie on November 6, 1891.
Major Works & Series
Colonial Memoirs and Political Writings (1850s-1880s)
Accounts of his experiences as a squatter in Queensland and New South Wales, including documentation of conflicts with Aboriginal peoples and observations on colonial politics.
Masterpiece: Account of Squatting Experiences in Queensland (1860)
Macpherson's detailed memoir of his experiences as a pastoralist in Queensland provides valuable historical documentation of colonial expansion, frontier conflicts, and the challenges faced by early settlers. His candid accounts of conflicts with the Mandandanji nation offer important, if controversial, perspectives on the colonial encounter.
Literary Significance & Legacy
Macpherson's writings provide crucial primary source material for understanding the experience of Scottish emigrants to Australia and the development of the pastoral industry in 19th-century Queensland and New South Wales. His accounts offer detailed insights into the daily life, challenges, and conflicts faced by colonial squatters during the period of rapid territorial expansion.
While his perspectives reflect the colonial attitudes of his era, particularly regarding Indigenous peoples, his writings serve as important historical documents that illuminate the complexities of settlement, the establishment of pastoral enterprises, and the political dynamics of colonial Australia. His work contributes to our understanding of how Scottish immigrants adapted to and shaped the Australian colonial experience.
"His accounts provide valuable documentation of the colonial experience and the challenges of pastoral settlement in 19th-century Australia."
Quick Facts
- Emigrated from Scotland to Australia at age 11 in 1829
- Established successful pastoral properties in Queensland and New South Wales
- Served in NSW Legislative Assembly for Central Cumberland 1863-1868
- Involved in the first physical fight in NSW Legislative Assembly history
- Returned to Scotland in 1868 and died in his birthplace of Blairgowrie
- His accounts document early conflicts between settlers and Aboriginal peoples
- Sold his Australian properties in 1856-57 before entering politics
Best Starting Points
- Squatter's Experiences in Queensland
His primary memoir offering insights into pastoral life and colonial conflicts in 19th-century Australia - Parliamentary Speeches Collection
Documentation of his political positions and contributions to colonial governance - Letters on Colonial Policy
His reflections on Australian colonial development and governance from his Scottish perspective
Famous Characters
- The Colonial Squatter
Macpherson himself as narrator, representing the Scottish immigrant experience in Australia - Aboriginal Adversaries
Members of the Mandandanji nation featured in his accounts of frontier conflicts - Fellow Settlers
Other Scottish and British colonists who shared the challenges of establishing pastoral enterprises - Political Contemporaries
Fellow politicians and rivals in the NSW Legislative Assembly, including Benjamin Lee
Resources & Further Reading
Free Digital Editions
Limited digital availability of Macpherson's works and related colonial documents
- Colonial government records from his parliamentary service
- Historical newspapers covering his political career
- Land records and pastoral documents from Queensland and NSW
- Family genealogical records in Scottish archives
Scholarly Resources
Academic resources for studying Australian colonial history and Scottish emigration
- Studies on Scottish emigration to Australia
- Research on colonial pastoralism and land conflicts
- Analysis of 19th-century NSW political development
- Indigenous perspectives on colonial encounters
Modern Adaptations
Contemporary presentations of colonial Australian history
- Documentary programs on Australian colonial history
- Museum exhibitions on pastoral settlement
- Academic conferences on Scottish-Australian connections
- Digital history projects on colonial NSW
Critical Biographies
Biographical studies of colonial figures and Scottish emigrants
- Entries in Australian biographical dictionaries
- Studies of colonial political figures
- Research on Scottish families in colonial Australia
- Analysis of pastoral industry development
Reading Communities
Communities interested in Australian colonial history and Scottish heritage
- Australian historical societies
- Scottish heritage organizations in Australia
- Colonial history research groups
- Indigenous history and reconciliation communities
Prizes & Recognition
Recognition in historical and genealogical research
- Inclusion in Australian biographical references
- Recognition in Scottish emigration studies
- Historical preservation of colonial records
- Academic interest in pastoral history
- Fantasy2
- Mystery2
- Romance2
- Adventure1
- Poetry1