Raffaello Carboni
Raffaello Carboni was a linguist who spoke five languages, an adventurer in search of gold and opportunity, a patriot who fought for his native country, and an egotist who wanted his share of fame.
Born in Italy, Carboni was involved in politics from his early years, fighting against the French in Rome in 1849, going into exile after the loss and, like a great many others, coming to Australia to chase gold in 1852. Carboni is most famous for his account of the battle at the Eureka Stockade. Peter Lalor had directed Carboni to organise the non–English speakers in battle, and even though he didn't fight at the stockade he was one of twelve charged with high treason, a charge for which he was acquitted.
Carboni's contemporaneous account of the Eureka Stockade, The Eureka Stockade: the consequence of some pirates wanting on quarter-deck a rebellion, remains one of the most important historical accounts of this fight for justice.
This first edition of the book is held in the State Library's Rare Books Collection. The Library also holds an eyewitness account of the uprising by Samuel Lazarus, preserved in his diary. The Lazarus diary can be viewed online as part of the Library's Treasures collection. |
