John Harris

Historian, linguist and author, John Harris has had a life-long involvement with Aboriginal people and is well known for his writings on their culture, languages and history. He is the author of over 100 books and papers including his award-winning major work,
One Blood,

and for the short-listed finalist in the Australian Christian Book of the Year of Judging the Macquaries

. John has a deep interest in the early contacts between Aboriginal people and the European invaders. He holds three doctorates: one in Aboriginal languages, another in theology and the prestigious Lambeth Doctorate from Her Majesty the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“

Judging the Macquaries ended up being a book about ... what people thought of [Lachlan Macquarie] at the time ... One person who 'immensely disliked' Macquarie was Reverend Samuel Marsden, the senior chaplain of the Church of England in the New South Wales colony. Marsden felt that people who had lost their class had no right to regain it ... He saw that as an example of the wrath of God ... whereas Macquarie underlined in his prayer book that God preferred to restore rather than punish. Macquarie thought that transportation to Australia was enough; that it was sufficient punishment.

”

Latest from John

John Harris

A passionate lover of bringing the Bible to lonely people in lonely places

When John Harris walks into the library at St Mark’s Theological College in Canberra, he is in his natural habitat.

Judging the Macquaries

Award-winning author and historian John Harris never baulks at handling controversial subjects. In this timely book, he tackles the disputes that marked Lachlan Macquarie's period as governor and the complex controversies which still surround his actions today.

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Publishing Australian faith voices since 1979

Acorn Press is part of Bible Society Australia Group

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