Obituaries Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: use double quotes to search for a phrase
  • Tip: lists of awards, schools, organisations etc

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Joseph (Joe) Byrne (1856–1880)

Very little is known regarding the past life of Joseph [Joe] Byrne, except that for several years his mother has resided near a gorge known as "Rats' Castle," some miles from Beechworth, and that a younger brother named Patrick, and several of his sisters have lived in the same locality with her. Patsey Byrne works as a labourer for the surrounding farmers, and also breaks in horses, while his sisters are nearly all kept at home. Joe was always a wanderer, continually associating with horse and cattle duffers, and was on particularly friendly terms with the "Greta mob." Byrne has been identified with gangs of horse and cattle stealers since boyhood, and has been convicted and served several years in gaol. He is fully 6ft. high, rather well built, has mild grey eyes, brown bushy whiskers, and a very light moustache. There was nothing in his appearance to indicate that he possessed criminal proclivities, nor was there even so much in Ned Kelly's face as one would expect from what is known of his career; but both Dan Kelly and Steve Hart had most repulsive features and a cruel look about the eyes and mouth, even when in their happiest moods.

Original publication

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

'Byrne, Joseph (Joe) (1856–1880)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/byrne-joseph-joe-13576/text24300, accessed 11 December 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Joe Byrne, 1880

Joe Byrne, 1880

State Library of Victoria, A/S17/07/80/168

Life Summary [details]

Birth

November, 1856
Victoria, Australia

Death

28 June, 1880 (aged 23)
Glenrowan, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

police shooting

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation or Descriptor
Groups