George William Rusden
Historian in New South Wales, Australia (1819–December 1903)
About George William Rusden
Lived 1819 – 1903 (aged 84). George William Rusden was a British and Australian historian, educational theorist, civil servant, clerk, local politician and poet.
George William Rusden (9 July 1819 – 23 December 1903) was an English-born historian, active in Australia.
Early life Rusden was born in Leith Hill Place (near Dorking), Surrey, England, son of the Rev. George Keylock Rusden, M.A. (1784–1859) and his wife Anne, née Townsend. G.K. Rusden was a polyglot and mathematician.
Australia George William Rusden travelled with his family to Australia and befriended Charles Nicholson on the voyage. Rusden was at first employed on the land, and was soon managing properties. At 28 years of age Rusden travelled to China and worked for a time at brother-in-law Ellis Gilman's Canton factory. Rusden visited his brother Alfred who was a tea-taster in Shanghai before returning to Sydney in early 1849.
Legacy A house at Melbourne Grammar School has been named in honour of Rusden, and was established in 1914 after he bequeathed the school £2000 and the bulk of his manuscripts. The house is known as Rusden House, and its colour is yellow.
Books (1891) Moyarra: An Australian Legend in Two Cantos London:E.A.Petherick
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was George William Rusden?
historian in New South Wales, Australia (1819–December 1903)
When was George William Rusden born?
George William Rusden was born on 9 July 1819 in Leith Hill Place.
When did George William Rusden die?
George William Rusden died on 23 December 1903 in South Yarra.
What was George William Rusden's occupation?
George William Rusden was a historian, educational theorist, civil servant, clerk, local politician and poet.
What nationality was George William Rusden?
George William Rusden was British and Australian.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: George William Rusden
· DBpedia: George William Rusden
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George William Rusden. https://biography.guide/george-william-rusden/
MLA: "George William Rusden." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-william-rusden/.
Chicago: "George William Rusden." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-william-rusden/.
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