Henry Savery
Henry Savery was an English-born author and convict, notable for being the first writer to publish a novel and a collection of essays in Australia. Born in 1791 in Somerset, he was the fifth child of a successful banker, and he entered into various business ventures, including sugar refining and insurance. His financial troubles led to bankruptcy in 1819, and by 1824, he forged a significant amount of money, which resulted in his arrest. Initially sentenced to death, his punishment was commuted to a life of transportation, and he was sent to Hobart, Australia, in 1825.
Savery's literary contributions emerged during his time in prison, where he wrote "The Hermit in Van Diemen's Land," a satirical collection that is recognized as the first essay collection published in Australia, followed by his novel "Quintus Servinton." Although his works are not celebrated as literary masterpieces, they hold historical significance for their portrayal of the transportation system. After receiving a ticket of leave and a conditional pardon, Savery tried to establish a farming life, but his past patterns of debt led to his arrest again in 1840. He spent his final years at a penitentiary in Port Arthur, where he passed away in 1842.
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Henry Savery
Writer
- Born: August 4, 1791
- Birthplace: Somerset, England
- Died: February 6, 1842
- Place of death: Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia
Biography
Henry Savery was born in Somerset, England, in 1791,the fifth child of successful Bristol banker John Savery and Sara (Prideaux) Savery. He married his wife Eliza in 1815. After first working in sugar refining and insurance, he began editing the Bristol Observer, remaining there until February, 1822. Savery declared bankruptcy in 1819, and by 1823 he was again struggling financially. By the end of 1824, it was discovered that he had forged some thirty thousand pounds in notes. He tried to flee before being caught, but his business partner stopped him aboard a ship at Cowes just before the ship was to leave for the United States. Savery attempted suicide but failed. He pled guilty to the charges against him and was initially sentenced to death, but the night before his scheduled hanging, his sentence was commuted to a life of transportation. He was subsequently shipped to Hobart, Australia, arriving in December, 1825.
Savery convinced his wife to immigrate to Australia. She arrived in October, 1828, following a shipwreck off England’s southeastern coast; there were rumors that she had engaged in an affair aboard ship with the new attorney general of Australia, Algernon Montagu. Whether of her own accord or upon rejection by her husband, Eliza returned to England, and Savery slashed his throat, but his attempt at suicide was again unsuccessful. On December 19, 1828, following his recovery from the suicide attempt, he was imprisoned because he was once again in debt.
Savery spent fifteen months in jail and in that time wrote The Hermit in Van Diemen’s Land, which appeared in several installments between June and December, 1829, before it was published in one volume in 1830. The satirical collection of sketches and essays is known as the first such essay collection written and published in Australia. Savery also produced the first novel written and published in Australia, Quintus Servinton (1830-1831), which the author finished while an assigned servant in New Norfolk. Though neither book is hailed as a great literary achievement, they are notable for being the first of their kind in Australia and for their depictions of the transportation system of punishment.
Savery earned a ticket of leave in June, 1832, after convincing authorities of his repentance and also of his ability to financially support himself. He was granted a conditional pardon in 1838 and began farming. However, when his debts again began to mount, the former convict slipped into old habits, and in 1840 he was again arrested for forgery. This time he was sentenced by Algernon Montagu, the man with whom Savery’s wife allegedly had an affair. Savery spent the final two years of his life at a penitentiary in Port Arthur, where he died on February 6, 1842.