John Croaker : convict embezzler

Type

Book

Authors

Booker, John

Craig, Russell

ISBN 10

052284894X

ISBN 13

9780522848946

LCCN

DU 172 .

DDC

305.5609

Tags

John Croaker, 1788-1824, Prisoners, Australia, New South Wales, Biography, Employment, Brewing industry, History, Bookkeeping, Social life and customs, Social conditions, Economic conditions, Great Britain

Abstract

"John Croaker was born in humble but respectable circumstances in Canterbury, Kent, and became principal clerk at the Isle of Thanet Bank in Margate. This might have been the sum total of his life's achievements if he hadn't begun fiddling the bank's accounts. After absconding to Calais in 1815 with stolen assets, he was convicted of embezzling the proceeds of a bill of exchange, and transported to New South Wales for fourteen years. Croaker's career generates a succession of interesting issues. His involvements in banking, brewing and the law have allowed John Booker and Russell Craig to use him as a window on the economic, judicial and social conditions of his age, both in England and in New South Wales." -- Book Jacket.

Description

Birth, beer and banking -- Leaveland, love and illegality -- A distasteful business -- The trial and tribulations -- A ticket of leave -- Poacher into gamekeeper -- A house of cards -- Land and liquor -- Decline and disgrace -- Outwards to oblivion -- Epilogue -- Appendixes. I. Narrative of a voyage to New South Wales in 1816 in the ship Mariner -- II. Bills of exchange and promissory notes involving John Croaker.

Biblio Notes

Includes bibliographical references (pages 189-197) and index.
Item donated by Graham Price.
Categorized by publisher, then author, then date.

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