Lyndall Ryan facts for kids

Lyndall Ryan (born April 14, 1943 – died April 30, 2024) was an important Australian historian and university professor. She taught at several universities, including Griffith University, Flinders University, and the University of Newcastle. Her main work focused on the history of Indigenous Australians and women's studies. She was known for her detailed research into Australia's past.

Early Life and Education

Lyndall Ryan was born in Sydney, Australia, on April 14, 1943. Her parents, Edna and John Ryan, were activists who cared deeply about social issues. Her mother, Edna, was a well-known feminist.

Lyndall grew up in Sydney suburbs like Woollahra and Canley Heights. She went to Woollahra Public School and Canley Vale Public School. She finished her high school education at Fairfield Girls' High School.

After school, Lyndall worked as a typist for a year. In 1961, she started studying at the University of Sydney. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government in 1964. She also completed a diploma in education, which allowed her to teach.

Lyndall taught English and history at Campbelltown High School for a year. Then, in 1966, she went back to university. She completed a Master of Arts degree in history at the Australian National University in 1969. During this time, she worked with famous historian Manning Clark.

Academic Career and Research

Lyndall Ryan earned her PhD from Macquarie University in 1975. Her special research project was about "Aborigines in Tasmania, 1800–1974 and their problems with the Europeans." This research became very important later on.

Her book, The Aboriginal Tasmanians, was first published in 1981. It explored the early relationships between the Tasmanian Aborigines and European settlers. A new edition came out in 1996, updating the story to include the 20th century.

Some historians disagreed with parts of her work. This led to what is sometimes called the "history wars". Lyndall Ryan defended her research. She continued to explain her findings in essays and in her 2012 book, Tasmanian Aborigines: A History Since 1803.

Colonial Frontier Massacres Project

One of Lyndall Ryan's most important projects was the Colonial Frontier Massacres map. In 2017, she and her team at the University of Newcastle launched an online map. This map showed more than 150 places in Eastern Australia where massacres of Indigenous Australians had happened.

The map quickly became very popular. It was viewed over sixty thousand times in just six months. It also received attention from around the world. The map provides details like approximate locations, dates, and sources for these events.

By 2019, the project had identified at least 270 frontier massacres. These events took place over 140 years, starting in 1794. Lyndall Ryan believed this map was a crucial step. It helped people understand the widespread violence against Indigenous people in Australia's history.

Awards and Recognition

Lyndall Ryan received many awards for her important work. In 2018, the History Council of NSW honored her. They recognized her research and teaching in women's and Indigenous history. They also praised her contributions to Australian Studies.

In November 2018, she became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. This is a special honor for top scholars in Australia. In 2019, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her "significant service to higher education, particularly to Indigenous history and women's studies."

Death

Lyndall Ryan passed away from cancer on April 30, 2024. She was 81 years old.