
A Sort of Conscience
The Wakefields
Philip Temple(Author)
Auckland University Press
Published on 1. January 2002
Book
Hardback
584 pages
978-1-86940-276-1 (ISBN)
Description
At once notorious and visionary, Edward Gibbon Wakefield and his brothers played a key but controversial role in the early British settlement of New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Once famed as New Zealand's 'Founding Fathers', they have since become the arch-villains of all post-colonial scenarios of the past. Deciding that neither myth made good historical sense, Philip Temple saw that, astonishingly, there was no adequate biography of the family most responsible for the establishment of the Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury settlements. In stitching together a net of letters and documents, Temple has produced the most comprehensive account yet of the Wakefield family's role in colonial development and selfgovernment across the old Commonwealth. He follows not only the brothers' careers but also establishes the role of the Wakefield women and gives extensive accounts of Edward Gibbon Wakefield's first elopement and his later abduction of Ellen Turner. Temple follows Edward Gibbon's tortuous career through colonial politics from the 1830s to the 1850s and shows how his brothers and son strongly influenced, for good and bad, the founding of new nations.
This engaging narrative, written in a strong and evocative:literary style, relates a story of courage and vision; cupidity and stupidity; high risk and adventure; success against the odds and, ultimately, terrible tragedy. Required reading for anyone who would better understand New Zealand's, and the Commonwealth's, early colonial history - and the role of its essential family.
This engaging narrative, written in a strong and evocative:literary style, relates a story of courage and vision; cupidity and stupidity; high risk and adventure; success against the odds and, ultimately, terrible tragedy. Required reading for anyone who would better understand New Zealand's, and the Commonwealth's, early colonial history - and the role of its essential family.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Auckland
New Zealand
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
maps, genealogies, b&w photographs, bibliography, index
ISBN-13
978-1-86940-276-1 (9781869402761)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2013
Auckland University Press
€63.49
Available for download
Person
Philip Temple is a distinguished author best known for his environmental novels, children's books and books on mountaineering and exploration.