Peter Biddulph: The Story of an Australian Settler

"Peter Biddulph: The Story of an Australian Settler" by William Henry Giles Kingston is a historical fiction that follows Peter Biddulph's remarkable transformation from a poor orphan rummaging along the Thames River to an Australian settler. The story examines themes of never giving up, what is right and wrong, and the grim realities of life as Peter deals with the difficulties of his early years and the hardships his family faces in a new country. At the beginning, Peter is a young boy living on a boat with his mother after his father passes away, struggling to survive until he meets Mr. Wells, a shipowner, who notices Peter's honesty. After this encounter, Mr. Wells takes Peter under his wing, setting in motion a series of formative experiences, including working tirelessly on the banks of the Thames, becoming an apprentice at sea, and, ultimately, moving to Australia with his family. These early experiences create a story full of adventure as he strives to make a better life.