Event Recording: Let’s Talk About Louisa – More Than Henry’s Mother
We were joined at the SMSA for History Week by Michelle Scott Tucker, author and State Library of NSW Visiting Scholar, and Rachel Franks, historian and coordinator at the State Library of NSW, as they tease apart the incredible story of Louisa Lawson.
Michelle is embarking on a project to write a new biography of Louisa Lawson – the trailblazing writer, fearless suffragist and champion of women’s rights in Australia. During this conversation, Michelle and Rachel explore Louisa’s impact, then and now, on Sydney society, the SMSA and the State Library.
If you’re interested in Michelle’s work on Louisa Lawson, you can follow her ‘Biography In Progress’ series in the SMSA newsletter.
We invite you to listen to this event recording using the play button above.
Who was Louisa Lawson?
If the surname rings a bell, it should—Henry Lawson is a name many of us know. But the real trailblazer in the family was his mother, Louisa Lawson.
Louisa was a force to be reckoned with. She was a visionary, a fierce writer, and a fearless suffragist. She founded The Dawn, Australia’s first journal created entirely by women, and became a relentless champion for women’s rights.
Her tireless efforts didn’t just make waves, they created a legacy. Louisa’s ground-breaking work in the suffrage movement and her bold literary voice continue to inspire and ignite change today. Louisa Lawson was nothing short of a hero.
About Michelle Scott Tucker
Michelle Scott Tucker is an author with two published books, and two more on the way—all while juggling a successful consulting career. Residing in regional Victoria on the unceded lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, she brings a unique perspective to her work.
Michelle co-wrote the memoir So Far, So Good with Torres Strait Islander actor and film producer Aaron Fa’Aoso, and they’ve recently contributed to Growing Up Torres Strait Islander in Australia (2024).
Recently, Michelle was honoured with a 2024 Visiting Scholar position at the NSW State Library, where she’s diving deep into the life of Louisa Lawson.
About Rachel Franks
Rachel Franks is a leading authority in her field, serving as the coordinator of scholarship at the State Library of New South Wales. With not one but two PhDs—one in Australian crime fiction and the other in true crime texts—Rachel’s expertise is unmatched.
A skilled educator and librarian, Rachel has shared her deep knowledge of crime fiction, true crime, popular culture, and information science at numerous conferences, and has been featured on radio and television. Her award-winning research is widely published in books, journals, magazines, and online platforms.
Rachel is the author of An Uncommon Hangman: The Life and Deaths of Robert ‘Nosey Bob’ Howard (2022), a gripping exploration of one of Australia’s most notorious executioners, which is mentioned in the SMSA interview with Rachel after she won last years ‘People’s Choice BAD Award.
A huge thank you to Michelle Scott Tucker, Rachel Franks, The State Library of NSW, The History Council NSW and our audience for such a thought provoking event.
