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Research The Author Speaks Writing

The Author Speaks: On Understanding Historical Figures

“It was that moment that I realised how important it is to understand people from history, just as we do with people in the present, based on contextual factors and free of prejudices. That is to say that they deserve to be looked at based upon demonstrable qualities rather than trying to pigeon hole them based on perceptions or preconceived ideas. People are nuanced, multifaceted beings. They have virtues and flaws, regardless of which is more dominant, and these often paradoxical elements coalesce into what we define as a personality. It’s all very Yin/Yang, but this is the reality.”

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First Hand Accounts History Sub-Inspector O'Connor and the Queensland native police The Police

O’Connor’s Letters (19 March 1881)

A private quarrel occurred between Mr. Hare and myself altogether unconnected with official business, in which Captain Standish, who was not in any way concerned, took part against me, and carried it into official matters. He made a series of communications to the Queensland Government, tending to depreciate me, and to remove the men from my control and supervision. This was done without my knowledge, and, consequently, I had no opportunity of explanation to my commissioner. My Government ultimately acceded to the request of Captain Standish, and informed him that he was at liberty to have one of my men for permanent service in Victoria. Upon this Captain Standish had the man taken out of my party and attached to his police, although he (Captain Standish) still required our services.