Page:Johns's notable Australians 1908.djvu/12

Rh Three outstanding features contributed to the success of the first edition of Notable Australians—the biographical records were written by the author of the work, and not by the subjects of the biographies; those records were published in recognition of meritorious public or personal achievement, and not for any monetary consideration; and only verified facts, entirely free from eulogy or flattery, comment, or expression of opinion, were given. The same features distinguish this second edition, so far as it relates to living Australasians. I desire to emphasize these points in order to remove any false impressions regarding the relationship with the work of those who are mentioned in it, and also to explain my own attitude in the production of this volume in an age when fulsome and florid biographies are published in certain types of books in consideration of stipulated payment. To some publications celebrities and would-be celebrities are permitted to coutribute their own notices or personally revise them, with a result which in numerous instances is out of all proportion to the importance of the individuals concerned. This can never be said of Notable Australians, which will continue, as it began, a biographical as distinguished from an autobiographical work. It never has been and never will be a medium to advertise any individual, his trade or profession, or one in which a person is allowed to gratify his vanity by spreading himself in print. A place in Notable Australians is not purchasable, and no person is permitted to dictate his own biography.

As, however, no one can possibly have an intimate knowledge of the career of every Notable Australasian, I have had recourse in many instances to individuals direct for specified details, and, for the sake of accuracy and completeness, wherever possible the record has been submitted to the subject of the biography for the purpose of checking data but not necessarily for revision or alteration of facts. For the form of presentation of