Blind Larry: the Jewish actor as habitual criminal

Journal article

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In Journal Issue

Australian Jewish Historical Society Journal, 19, 4 (2010)

Author(s) Robert Jordan AbstractThis article is a detailed account of the life of the twice transported Jewish convict, James Lawrence (JL), otherwise known as Blind Larry. JL was a thief, forger, pickpocket, swindler, card-sharp and also an actor who arrived in NSW in April 1815 on a 7 year sentence. He continued to commit crimes in NSW and consequently served time in most of the colony's prisons. He escaped to Calcutta, committed further crimes, and was transported for another 7 year period, arriving in November 1819. The article discusses JL's autobiography, written while serving a sentence on Norfolk Island, and the many problems with its accuracy and boastful claims, particularly his claims of having performed in the commercial theatre of NSW. It concludes with an afterward covering the period from 1842, where his biography ends, until his death in a Melbourne prison (via a stint in Hobart) in 1863.
Year2010
Pages7-26