About the Author

Zachary Kevin Kearney Gorman is a Tutor of History & Politics at the University of Wollongong, where he recently completed his PhD. His research focus is the history of classical liberalism in pre-war Australian and Colonial politics, covering figures such as George Reid, Henry Parkes and Bruce. As an up-and-coming historian, Zachary has been published widely in both academic journals and Quadrant. His first book, a biography of Sir Joseph Carruthers, founder of the original NSW Liberal Party and a key figure in ensuring that 'liberalism' in Australia came to be associated with the centre-right.

Reviews

"Here, finally, is the proud history of Australian liberalism told with clarity and panache. Zachary Gorman's biography of Joseph Carruthers is a story about liberal values and old-fashioned retail politics, drawing up clear 'lines of cleavage' to give voters a real choice at elections. He paved the way for Liberal titans, Sir Robert Menzies and John Howard. History buffs will rejoice at the telling of Carruthers' story, students will learn about the founding of Australian democracy, and politicians, present and future, would do well to remember our past in order to secure our future as a thriving democracy founded on classical liberal values." -- Janet Albrechtsen - opinion columnist with The Australian