Ralph Darling : a governor maligned /

Fletcher's biography describes the life of a 19th-century British general and civil servant who governed New South Wales from 1825 to 1831. Although General Sir Ralph Darling had earlier demonstrated his administrative abilities as governor of Mauritius, he provoked criticism during his Australian service for his rigidity and ultraconservativeness. It is this period in Darling's career that is the focus of this well-written and superbly researched book. There is, however, a question as to whether Darling is deserving of a full-length biography. Little new has been learned since a good article appeared in the Australian Dictionary of Biography (v.1, CH, Jan '67), and the basic interpretation of his governorship appears scarcely changed. Recommended for purchase by those libraries having a strong Australian collection.-W.P. Strauss, Oakland University