Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly (c.

Ned Kelly (c. 1854/1855–1880) was an Australian bushranger and gang leader who became the most famous outlaw in Australian history. He led the Kelly Gang in robberies and armed confrontations with police in Victoria and New South Wales before being captured, tried, and executed in Melbourne. His life has made him a lasting and controversial figure in Australian folklore.

Early life

Kelly was born in Beveridge, Victoria, to John 'Red' Kelly and Ellen Quinn. Sources disagree on whether he was born in December 1854 or June 1855, and his exact birth date is not known.

Bushranging career

After earlier convictions for assault and receiving stolen property, Kelly became the leader of the Kelly Gang. He shot and injured a policeman in 1877 while trying to prevent his brother Dan Kelly’s arrest. The gang carried out robberies and armed clashes in the Victoria–New South Wales border region from 1878 to 1880. Kelly wore homemade metal armour during the gang’s final confrontation at Glenrowan.

Capture and execution

Kelly was wounded and captured after the Glenrowan siege in 1880. He was later tried in Melbourne, found guilty, and hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol on 11 November 1880.

Legacy

Kelly remains a polarizing figure in Australian history, remembered by some as a folk hero and by others as a violent criminal. The Jerilderie Letter, a statement associated with Kelly, attempted to justify his actions. His story has been widely represented in books, films, art, and public history.