The Man Who Was Starlight: The Life and Times of Henry Readford, Stock Thief, Pathfinder and Folk Hero by Patrick McCarthy (1987)

Author:
Patrick H. McCarthy

Publisher:
Allen & Unwin, Sydney

Format:
Softcover

Pages:
xii, 171 pages, plus [24] pages of plates with illustrations, genealogical tables, maps, and portraits

ISBN:
004909033X

Condition:
Very Good – cover laminate is lifting slightly; owner’s notes inside front cover; otherwise clean and tightly bound.

Description:
This well-researched biography tells the remarkable story of Henry "Harry" Readford—cattle duffer, bush pathfinder, and the inspiration behind Rolf Boldrewood’s fictional hero Captain Starlight. In the mid-1800s, Readford gained notoriety for stealing a thousand head of cattle and driving them through some of the harshest terrain in Australia, a feat that made him a folk legend. McCarthy draws from historical documents, family records, and contemporary accounts to trace Readford’s life of crime, courage, and myth-making across Queensland and South Australia.

Why You’ll Love It:
For lovers of outback history, bushranging tales, or iconic Australian characters, this biography offers a vivid account of a man who defied the law and captured the public imagination. A must-have for readers interested in Australia’s frontier folklore, cattle duffing, or the origins of literary legends like Robbery Under Arms.