In the early days of colonial Australia, where survival demanded resilience and ambition, Sir Henry Browne Hayes stood out as a man of contradictions. A knighted sheriff from Cork, Ireland, turned notorious convict, Hayes led a scandalous life that defied expectations. Arrested for the audacious crime of abducting a wealthy Quaker heiress on a dare, Hayes was transported to New South Wales, where his aristocratic background and flair for theatrics turned him into an infamous figure.
Hayes wasn’t an ordinary convict. His time in Australia was marked by rebellion, intrigue, and a flair for defiance. He played a controversial role in major historical events, including the Castle Hill convict uprising and the Rum Rebellion, cementing his legacy as both an instigator and a survivor of colonial chaos. Despite numerous arrests and exiles to notorious convict outposts like Norfolk Island and Van Diemen's Land, Hayes managed to carve out an unusual existence.
Dubbed the "gentleman convict," Hayes lived among a privileged group of transported elite, embracing Georgian refinements like art, poetry, and architecture even as he navigated the brutal realities of penal life. His legacy extends beyond his tumultuous life, shaping folklore, songs, and stories that endure today.
With newly uncovered details, The Snake Circle offers the definitive biography of this captivating figure. From his infamous snake-infested sly-grog operation at Vaucluse House to the shadow he cast over Australia’s early convict history, this is the untold story of a man who turned scandal into legend.
For readers who relish stories of audacity, survival, and the human spirit against all odds, Hayes’ remarkable tale brings history to life with vivid colour and intrigue.
‘A captivating tale of a convict ship captain’… ‘Maher’s impressive biography…’ Professor Ross Fitzgerald
