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William Russell — Captain Bushranger

CONVICT - BUSHRANGER - OUTLAW

Paperback, Hardcover, Collector’s Edition, and eBook available below. Also available in store on Norfolk Island.

At just 17 years old, William Russell was transported in chains from Ireland to Australia in 1834. Seven years later, he was sentenced to life on Norfolk Island.

William Russell was never meant to survive.

A true Australian bushranger story —
available now in print and ebook.

William Russell — Captain Bushranger is the true story of one of Australia's earliest bushrangers, reconstructed from court records and historical accounts. In a penal system designed to break men — he endured punishment, exile, and years without hope. When release came in colonial Australia, it was not freedom, only distance. His name remained written down, his past never closed, the search for him was never abandoned.

This book traces William Russell’s life from convict to husband and father, as he and Sarah build a life lived carefully and always under threat. Troopers, records, and old accusations follow him across rivers, goldfields, and growing Australian towns. Survival depends not on heroics, but on restraint, patience, and knowing when to move on.

Remembered by some as “Captain Bushranger,” William never claimed the name. It was applied by others — a label that survived where much of the man’s own voice did not. This work returns to the records to examine the life behind the name.

Written by a sixth-generation descendant of William Russell, the book brings together history and family memory to illuminate the life of a man who lived in the shadows of Australia's frontier era.

A documented true story reconstructed from historical records, with interpretation where the record falls silent.

Printed in Australia · First edition, 2026.
Carefully produced first edition.
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Printed editions

Paperback edition Postage calculated at checkout
AUD$44.95 Buy paperback
Hardcover edition Postage calculated at checkout
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Collector’s edition Postage calculated at checkout
AUD$89.95 Buy collector’s edition

Digital editions

Kindle edition
AUD$11.99 Read on Kindle
Apple Books ebook edition
AUD$14.99 Read on Apple
Google ebook edition
AUD$14.99 Read on Google

Audiobook

Google audiobook
AUD$19.99 Listen on Google

Printed book editions

William Russell: Captain Bushranger paperback edition book cover
Paperback edition
William Russell: Captain Bushranger hardcover edition book cover
Hardcover edition
William Russell: Captain Bushranger Collector's edition book cover
Collector's edition

Printed book covers

William Russell: Captain Bushranger book cover
Front Cover
William Russell: Captain Bushranger book back
Back Cover
William Russell: Captain Bushranger book back
Hardcover Dust Jacket

About the book

William Russell is a narrative historical account drawn from Australian court records, government correspondence, contemporary newspapers, and archival material from New South Wales, Norfolk Island, South Australia, and Victoria, Australia. Where the documentary record is incomplete, the narrative reflects established historical context without presenting conjecture as fact.

Author’s Note

While researching my family history, I was told by a historian that the story was “too bold to be believable.”

This work is based on documented events surrounding my great great great grandfather William Russell, born in Dublin in 1817. Court records, newspapers, and archival sources have been used to reconstruct the narrative.

This site exists as a companion to the book — a place for context, sources, and updates.


Back Creek Press display

Back Creek Press

Independent Australian publishing focused on historical reconstruction, colonial records, and forgotten stories.

Contact

For family history enquiries or correspondence relating to the book, correspondence may be directed to:
Back Creek Press

Back Creek Press

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