A Forger's Progress: The Life of Francis Greenway

by Alasdair McGregor

A forger and convicted felon, Francis Greenway was transported to Sydney in 1814. Only a decade later, his dreams of a “city superior in architectural beauty to London” began to be realized as he designed Hyde Park Barracks, St James’ Church, the Supreme Court, St Luke’s Church in Liverpool, and the Windsor courthouse. In this first biography of Greenway since 1953, award-winning author Alasdair McGregor scrutinizes the character and creative output of a man beset by contradictions and demons. He profiles Greenway’s landmark buildings, his complex and fraught relationship with Governor Lachlan Macquarie, and his thwarted ambitions and self-destruction.

425 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

About the author

Alasdair McGregor is a writer, painter and photographer based in Sydney, Australia. His professional and creative interests range across a number of fields and include natural history and the environment, architecture and design, and the history of exploration.

http://www.alasdairmcgregor.com.au/pa...

Reviews

[Michael Beashel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historical gem! McGregor gets into the psyche of the architect showing the emotional relations between himself and the Governor. For all lovers of Sydney's built past it's a treasure of the legacy of what is thankfully still in brick and stone today.

[Dwight Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had fascinating insights into early history of Sydney including politics of how and why buildings were built. Greenway was a hot character falling out with many people! Many pictures of Circular Quay of old fort that is no longer there were in there so it filled in gaps for me into history of Sydney.

[Bill Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author notes his frustration that there is little known of the private life of Greenway, and accordingly one can feel that a significant chapter was missing. Nonetheless the book paints a comprehensive picture of the early days of the fledgling colony.