James Hardy Vaux's 1819 Dictionary of Criminal Slang and Other Impolite Terms as Used by the Convicts of the British Colonies of Australia with Additional True Stories, Remarkable Facts and Illustrations

A lively, detailed and richly illustrated account of the lives of convicts sent to Van Diemen’s land.’ * Herald Sun on A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land *
‘Wonderfully conceived, surprisingly original, terrifically entertaining.’ * Shaun Tan on Gaolbird *
‘This beautifully told and illustrated story of William Swallow and convict Popjoy is an historical adventure with a difference.’ * National Trust Australia on Gaolbird *
‘To read this dictionary of inventive and colourful “flash language”…is to find yourself wishing it could be re-introduced into Australian English.’ * Age *
‘Barnard’s latest masterpiece is a publication which should adorn every Tasmanian bookshelf.’ * Tasmania Historical Research Association Journal *
‘A lively look at a language that is often humorous though sometimes dark.’ * ArtsHub *

James Hardy Vaux

Born in Surrey, England in 1782, James Hardy Vaux was transported to Australia for seven years for stealing a handkerchief. He was employed writing the King’s log on the voyage back to London, but after committing further crimes, he was transported again to New South Wales. Vaux compiled his dictionary while in the Newcastle Penal Settlement, and soon after received a conditional pardon. There is no record of his death.

Simon Barnard

Simon Barnard was born and grew up in Launceston. He is a writer, illustrator, and collector of colonial artifacts. He won the CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Books in 2015 for his first book, A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land. His second book, Convict Tattoos, was published in August 2016, and Gaolbird was published in 2017. Simon lives in Melbourne.

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