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Robert P. Whitworth Robert P. Whitworth i(A34878 works by) (a.k.a. Robert Percy Whitworth; Robert Whitworth; R. P. Whitworth; Robt. P. Whitworth; Robt. Whitworth)
Also writes as: The Literary Bohemian ; Reginald Crawford ; R. P. W.
Born: Established: 1831 Torquay, Devon (County),
c
England,
c
c
United Kingdom (UK),
c
Western Europe, Europe,
; Died: Ceased: 31 Mar 1901 Prahran, South Yarra - Glen Iris area, Melbourne - Inner South, Melbourne, Victoria,
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1855
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Works By

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1 1 The Trooper's Story of the Bank Robbery Robert P. Whitworth , 1953 single work short story
— Appears in: Australian Round-Up : Stories From 1790 to 1950 1953; (p. 19-28) My Country : Australian Poetry and Short Stories, Two Hundred Years 1985; (p. 105-114) The Anthology of Colonial Australian Crime Fiction 2008; (p. 104-113)
1 A Race for Life Robert P. Whitworth , 1895 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , January vol. 30 no. 356 1895; (p. 270-273)
Charmingly erratic narrative of a New Year's Day picnic in the Otway Ranges by a group of Melbourne holiday-makers at Lorne, chaperoned by the narrator and his match-making wife. A description of Australian picnics in general, the scenic trip to the picnic spot, a bellbird and an encounter with a snake preface an account of the brave defence of an isolated New Zealand homestead during the Maori Wars by one of the picnickers, an ex-army officer from South Africa. Concludes with the various pairings promoted by the day - and plans for another holiday. (PB)
1 Nell Bryce Robert P. Whitworth , 1895 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , March vol. 30 no. 358 1895; (p. 377-378)
Tale of love, murder, revenge and madness. The belle of Palmerston falls in love with a poor farmer's son and he goes to the diggings on the Cardona to earn enough to marry her despite parental opposition. He strikes it rich but is murdered on his return. Her grief turns to vengeance and she takes a position as barmaid on the diggings where she finally discovers and shoots the murderer. She goes mad and is committed to the Dunedin asylum. The narrator was a visitor to the asylum and told this story by her doctor. (PB)
1 Our Jess Robert P. Whitworth , 1895 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , April vol. 30 no. 359 1895; (p. 443-445)
A digger on the Jim Crow goldfield recalls his childhood in Tasmania and his father's fiercely loyal gipsy who cared for him and his motherless sister. Her devotion to their dead mother led her to mother the children, and one night she saved them from a bushrangers' attack, running with them to safety and killing two bushrangers with a hatchet. Strong portrait of a fierce, 'true' woman convict and bushranging times in convict Tasmania. (PB)
1 A Strange Story Robert P. Whitworth , 1895 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , May vol. 30 no. 360 1895; (p. 490-492)
Two young men, cousins, emigrate from England to Victoria and travel to a cattle station on the Goulburn River for 'colonial experience' before buying a station of their own. Aboriginal attacks on cattle cause one of the cousins to ride to a neighbour for advice. The appearance of his ghost causes his cousin, the narrator, to ride after him. He discovers the body pressed through the heart by a spear. He collapses, and recovers from an attack of brain fever to the horror of reality. Slight emphasis on the existence of ghosts despite all rational explanations. (PB)
1 Lost and Found : A Romance of the Desolate Region Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 extract novel adventure (Lost and Found : A Romance of the Desolate Region)
— Appears in: Northern Territory Times and Gazette , 23 March 1894;
A mariner seeking hidden treasure faces danger as he treks across a deserted island and encounters the wilds of nature.
1 A Perfect Day Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 single work short story Grace Longden emigrates to Melbourne from England after her father's financial ruin and suicide. She stays in a Fitzroy boarding house until her aunt arrives to take her to her country station near Camperdown in Victoria's west, when she meets her cousins. Tom proposes to her almost immediately and rescues her from a runaway horse - but she reveals an earlier engagement made in England. Tom's handsome younger brother Jim also proposes and is rejected. News of her English suitor's marriage to another frees her to follow her heart and marry Tom. Australian openness and relaxed manners, courtship and hospitality are linked to the blue skies and beauty of the landscape and contrasted with the colder but pretty equivalents in England. (PB)
1 Gold Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , November vol. 30 no. 354 1894; (p. 154-155)
An ex-convict at the time of the Kimberley gold rush reminisces of his days in W. A., principally as part of a timber-getting chain gang at Shark's Bay. An escape of a group results in their finding gold - and death from thirst and privation. The narrator is saved by Aborigines and earns a free pardon with the discovery. Includes a reference to Marcus Clarke, saying his depiction of the cruelty of convict life was accurate. (PB)
1 Widow Watson Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , December vol. 30 no. 355 1894; (p. 185-186)
A wet Christmas Eve on the Walhalla diggings near Mt Baw Baw - and diggers' kindness in providing amply for a sick and penniless widow and her children. Rough sentiment and piety. (PB)
1 My Hero Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 single work short story
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , October vol. 30 no. 353 1894; (p. 87-88)
A Wimmera stockman narrates a tale set in NSW Richmond River district around 1870 - of a bushfire set by Aborigines which threatens the proceeds of several months timber-getting. One of the most disreputable cedar-cutters risks his life to save an Aboriginal woman who dies in the fire - and adopts the baby son she had saved by covering him with her own body. Includes passing comments on the maternal instincts of Aboriginal women. (PB)
1 After Many Days : A Christmas Story Robert P. Whitworth , 1894 single work short story adventure romance
— Appears in: The Australian Journal , January vol. 29 no. 344 1894; (p. 272-276)
The career and love of the fatherless Marion Newtown, her mother, brother and younger sister left almost penniless. A rich uncle refuses assistance - Marion turns to teaching music and Jack eventually becomes sub-editor on a country newspaper. Marion becomes a successful opera singer after saving the baby of visiting Italian singers from a fire, the family prospers and she is reunited with her faithful suitor. Pleasant. Very well-written. (PB)
1 y separately published work icon Shimmer of Silk Robert P. Whitworth , W. A. Windas , Melbourne : Wm Marshall & Co , 1893 Z1065859 1893 selected work short story
1 Grandmamma's Christmas Robert P. Whitworth , 1889 single work poetry children's
— Appears in: Tuapeka Times , 25 December vol. 22 no. 1652 1889; (p. 8)
1 A Snake in the Grass i "The day was bright and sunny, and the wind had gone to sleep;", Robert P. Whitworth , 1888 single work poetry
— Appears in: Northern Territory Times and Gazette , 29 December 1888;
1 The Third Finger Robert P. Whitworth , 1888 single work short story
— Appears in: Northern Territory Times and Gazette , 29 December 1888;
1 His Horse i "Oh! beautiful one, oh! faithful one,", Robert P. Whitworth , 1888 single work poetry
— Appears in: Northern Territory Times and Gazette , 29 December 1888;
1 A Near Thing Robert P. Whitworth , 1887 single work short story adventure
— Appears in: Northern Territory Times and Gazette , 22 January 1887; (p. 1(S)) The Australian Journal , February vol. 30 no. 357 1895; (p. 332-334)
A notoriously idle Sydney mounted trooper narrates an incident from his early career pursuing escaped convicts turned bushrangers on the Huon plain and nearby ranges in Tasmania. His horse killed, he is captured and nearly burnt alive by a drunken member of the gang - but released by him to assist the convict when he is bitten by a death-adder. The man dies and the trooper wanders into the bush in a fever, and is rescued. Includes humour - the one time the trooper got off his back very quickly. The convicts had escaped from Port Arthur. (PB)
1 1 y separately published work icon Hine-Ra, Or the Maori Scout : A Romance of the New Zealand War Robert P. Whitworth , Melbourne : 1887 Z1065862 1887 single work novel
1 y separately published work icon Velvet and Rags Robert P. Whitworth , Melbourne : Robert P. Whitworth , 1886 Z1499810 1886 selected work short story
1 Father Fogarty's Front Teeth Robert P. Whitworth , 1884 single work short story mystery
— Appears in: The Queanbeyan Age , 26 December 1884; (p. 4)
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