John Hirst

John Hirst is one of Australia's leading historians. He is Reader in History at La Trobe University and a frequent commentator in national newspapers and magazines. Among his previous books was The Strange Birth of Colonial Democracy (1988). His most recent book was The Sentimental Nation: the making of the Australian Commonwealth. Since 1996 he has chaired the Commonwealth Government's Civics Education Group.

John Hirst is one of Australia's leading historians. He is Reader in History at La Trobe University and a frequent commentator in national newspapers and magazines. Among his previous books was The Strange Birth of Colonial Democracy (1988). His most recent book was The Sentimental Nation: the making of the Australian Commonwealth. Since 1996 he has chaired the Commonwealth Government's Civics Education Group. See less