Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the Years 1837, 38, and 39

In this two-volume 1841 work, Sir George Grey (1812–98) writes about two expeditions to North-West Australia that took place under his leadership in 1837–9. Both expeditions encountered difficulties and Grey himself was seriously wounded. The work reflects contemporary attitudes towards the colonies and their indigenous peoples.

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Educated at Sandhurst, Sir George Grey (1812–98) became Governor of South Australia when he was not yet thirty. Later he served as Governor of New Zealand and High Commissioner for South Africa, and in the 1870s he enjoyed a period as premier of New Zealand. Although he liked to portray himself as 'good Governor Grey', some of his contemporaries found him ruthless and manipulative. Like many other Victorian administrators, he was convinced that the 'savage' natives needed to be 'improved' in order to become more like Europeans. In this 1841 publication, Grey writes about two expeditions to North-West Australia that took place under his leadership in 1837–9. Both expeditions encountered difficulties, and Grey himself was seriously wounded. In Volume 2, Grey focuses on the language and culture of the native Australians, and reveals his plans for 'raising' the Aborigines to what he regards a 'civilised' level.