For almost 140 years, the author of Australia’s first children’s book was a mystery. Known only by the description ‘a Lady Long Resident in New South Wales’, she was the subject of much speculation… 

Today we know her as Charlotte Waring Atkinson, the great-great-great-great grandmother of sisters in writing and in life, Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell.

In a tale of love, grief, violence and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds, Forsyth and Murrell reveal Charlotte’s extraordinary story and their own journey to discover her.

Searching for Charlotte: The Fascinating Story of Australia’s First Children’s Author, published by NLA Publishing, is now available from the NLA Bookshop.

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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