Ned Kelly is a legendary figure in Australian history as he was a folk hero and an outlaw who fought against colonial oppression. Born into poverty in 1854, Kelly had to turn to a life of crime to support his family. Kelly became famous for robbing banks, trains, and stagecoaches, often disguised in homemade suits of armor. After holding up a train at Glenrowan in 1880, Kelly was captured, tried and convicted of murder, and was hung to death. Kelly’s life and legacy have become a part of Australian folklore, and he is often seen as a symbol of resistance against colonial injustices.
The Notorious Life of Ned Kelly: Australia’s Most Infamous Bushranger
Introduction
Ned Kelly is one of the most fascinating figures in Australian history. He was a bushranger, folk hero, and outlaw who became a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression. Born in 1854 in Victoria, Australia, Kelly grew up in poverty and was forced to turn to a life of crime to support himself and his family.
Early Life
Ned Kelly was the third of eight children born to Irish parents in Victoria, Australia. His father, John Kelly, was a convict who had been transported to Australia for stealing two pigs. Ned’s childhood was marked by poverty, and he was forced to leave school at the age of 12 to help support his family. By the time he was a teenager, he was already known to the police as a troublemaker.
Bushranger
In 1878, Kelly and his gang robbed a bank in the town of Euroa, Victoria, and made off with over £2000 in cash and gold. This was one of the largest robberies in Australian history, and it made Kelly and his gang some of the most wanted men in the country. Over the next few years, Kelly and his gang continued to rob banks, trains, and stagecoaches, often disguised in homemade suits of armor.
The Siege at Glenrowan
In June 1880, Kelly and his gang held up a train at Glenrowan, Victoria. The train was carrying police reinforcements who had been sent to capture Kelly and his gang. The police laid siege to the hotel where Kelly and his gang were holed up, and after a fierce gun battle, Kelly was wounded and captured. He was tried and convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging.
Legacy
Ned Kelly’s life and legacy have been the subject of countless books, movies, and songs. His story has become a part of Australian folklore, and he is often portrayed as a heroic outlaw who fought against injustices committed by the colonial authorities. Some argue that Kelly was a freedom fighter who stood up for the rights of the oppressed.
FAQs
1. What did Ned Kelly do?
Ned Kelly was a bushranger, folk hero, and outlaw who became a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression. He was known for his bank robberies, train hold-ups, and stagecoach heists, often dressed in homemade suits of armor.
2. Why is Ned Kelly famous?
Ned Kelly is famous for his life as an outlaw and his resistance against the colonial authorities. His story has become a part of Australian folklore, and he is often portrayed as a heroic figure who fought for the rights of the oppressed.
3. What happened to Ned Kelly?
Ned Kelly was captured in 1880 after a gun battle with police at the Siege of Glenrowan. He was tried and convicted of murder and sentenced to death by hanging. Kelly was executed on November 11, 1880, at the age of 25.
4. What is Ned Kelly’s legacy?
Ned Kelly’s life and legacy have been the subject of countless books, movies, and songs. He is an important figure in Australian history and culture, and is often seen as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression.
