Australia’s first published …

Published Novel, 1830

A Novel Experience

This was the first novel published in Australia, though it was published mainly for the British market where it was reissued in 1832. It was published anonymously in three volumes but was clearly based on the tragic life of Henry Savery.

Henry Savery, born in London in 1791, was convicted of forgery and sentenced to death which was later commuted to transportation for life. He arrived in Hobart in 1825 where he ran up debts. His wife, Eliza, joined him, surviving shipwreck on the way. Distraught by his debts and concerned for a possible liaison Eliza may have formed on the ship, Savery cut his throat, but was saved by a noted physician. He was imprisoned, his wife left him and, after his release, he wrote Quintus Servinton. He was granted a conditional pardon in 1838 but again committed forgery and was sent to Port Arthur where he died in 1842.

The novel was reprinted in 1962, 1984 and 2003. A first edition is very rare; only around six copies are known to exist. Even David Scott Mitchell was unable to purchase one.
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