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Louisa Atkinson’s Nature Notes

Commentary by Penny Olsen

Louisa Atkinson was deemed ‘an excellent creature’ in the nineteenth century—and, at

age 23, was the author of the first novel penned by a native-born woman published in

Australia.

Atkinson was a keen naturalist whose close observations of the natural world featured

prominently in the newspapers of her day. Although much of her other work remained

unpublished during her lifetime, Atkinson’s stunning drawings and paintings of Australian

plants, animals and birds are widely acclaimed today and feature in the National Library’s

collection.

In this new NLA publication, nature and science writer Penny Olsen tracks Atkinson’s

remarkable career, through her drawings and writings.

Publication details

ISBN 978-0-642-27860-9 (paperback) 230(h) x 200(w) mm; 108 pp RRP $34.99

This publication is available April 2015 from our online shop.

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