State Library Victoria Such was life

A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards: poet, playwright, prisoner

June 20, 2025

People & professions, Victorian history:

‘A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards’ is a unique set of papers in our manuscripts collection that documents the prison life and creative output of George Edwards, a prisoner at Pentridge Prison in the 1870s. His secret papers were wrapped in strips of prison sheets and wedged within the walls of the prison to avoid detection. Find out how they made their way to the State Library collection.

Detective Inspector Christie: Victoria’s master of disguise

June 6, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, People & professions, Victorian history:

Detective Inspector John Christie was one of Victoria’s most well-known detectives. His use of disguises to catch opium smugglers, diamond thieves, moonshiners, and murderers saw him hailed as the Sherlock Holmes of Australia.

The last theatre on Bourke Street: an archival history of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre

May 28, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Music, Performing Arts, Theatre, Victorian history:

Take a trip through the State Library archives to remember the many incarnations of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre from 1854 until it closed its doors in May 2014.

Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victoria

May 22, 2025

Arts & literature, People & professions, Victorian history:

Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses! Today (22nd May) is Sherlock Holmes Day, where the world celebrates the birthday of this super-sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Radical Acts

May 19, 2025

Our stories, Such was life:

Radical Acts is a project to address gender bias in Wikipedia and the Library’s records by improving the representation of Australian feminist activists and movements.

Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’

April 2, 2025

Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:

Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.

Think globally, act locally: feminist posters by Australian women artists from 1970s-1990s

March 27, 2025

Such was life, Visual arts:

The feminist resurgence in the period 1960-1990, referred to as second wave feminism, had a significant impact on the art world. Political graphics were no exception. This blog explores the State Library’s rich and extensive holdings of feminist posters by women artists from Melbourne’s alternative poster collectives.

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

January 13, 2025

Arts & literature:

In 1922 Agatha Christie accompanied her husband on an around the world tour to promote the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. On her travels, she spent 10 days in Victoria- find out what she thought…

A ghost story for Christmas

December 23, 2024

Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.

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Such was life