People & professions

On the case: Detective Piggott and the development of forensics

On the case: Detective Piggott and the development of forensics

November 3, 2025

Ask a librarian, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

The early 1900s was an exciting time to be a detective. Innovations in science and technology, combined with the popularity of detective stories shifted crime fighting away from the seedy world of informers, which had influenced the early years of policing, towards the detection of crime using scientific methods and forensic evidence. Find out about how one Victorian detective contributed to the development of police forensics.

Wikimedians-in-residence

Wikimedians-in-residence

July 25, 2025

People & professions, Victorian history:

The Library has hosted two Wikimedians this year as they worked on improving the visibility of Australian feminist activists, organisations, and movements.

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

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

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.

Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victoria

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.

Melbourne’s Marvellous Madame Weigel

Melbourne’s Marvellous Madame Weigel

October 21, 2024

Collections, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Madame Weigel’s Journal of Fashion became a staple of Australian life for those interested in being well dressed, well presented, and well informed. This treasure trove has recently been digitised and made available online.

The Jerilderie Letter

The Jerilderie Letter

November 9, 2023

People & professions, Such was life:

The Jerilderie Letter is an 8,000 word document by the notorious outlaw Ned Kelly composed in 1879. In the Letter Kelly gives his interpretation of the crimes he was accused of and subsequently convicted for. The origins, content and legacy of this document are explored in this article along with the story of how State Library Victoria acquired this historic and unique document.

Isabella Fraser, a library pioneer

Isabella Fraser, a library pioneer

August 22, 2023

Our stories, People & professions, Victorian history:

For many decades, Victorian legislation discriminated against women who wanted to work at the library. Isabella Fraser was State Library Victoria’s first female staff member in 1908, and paved the way for the many women who have followed in her footsteps.

Elevated view of Domed Reading Room, State Library of Victoria, 1984, H84.376/2

The dais in the Dome

July 17, 2023

Buildings & streets, Our stories, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Once upon a time a staff member sat in the Dais in the La Trobe Reading Room, watching over any chattering public. We asked two long term SLV librarians how this used to work.

Winter illuminations: snow and shadows

Winter illuminations: snow and shadows

July 14, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, People & professions, Such was life:

With winter well upon us, these images from our photographic collections evoke some of the seasonal experience of snow, ice, and shadows; as senses are sharpened by a chill in the air, the brightness and contrast of snow and subject, or the blanketing fogs.

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