To Try Her Fortune in London Australian Women, Colonialism, and Modernity

'To Try Her Fortune in London' considers white colonials as part of the colonial presence at the heart of the empire. Between 1870 and 1940 tens of thousands of Australian women were drawn to London. This title explores previously unexamined connections between whiteness, colonial status, gender, and modernity.



This book is the first study to consider white colonials as part of the colonial presence at the heart of the empire. Between 1870 and 1940 tens of thousands of Australian women were drawn to London, their imperial metropolis and the center of the publishing, art, theatrical, and educational worlds. Even more Australian women than men made the pilgrimage "home," seeking opportunities and possibilities beyond those available to them in Australian colonies or dominion. Through this lens, Woolacott explores hitherto unexamined connections between whitenss, colonial status, gender and modernity.