Ned Kelly

<p>Edward 'Ned' Kelly was born in December 1854 in Beveridge, Victoria, the eldest son of an Irish Catholic transport convict, John 'Red' Kelly. Growing up in severe rural poverty amidst systemic anti-Irish prejudice and persistent police harassment of poor selector farmers, Kelly was initiated into cattle duffing and horse theft as an adolescent.</p>
<p>In April 1878, an altercation at the Kelly homestead involving Constable Alexander Fitzpatrick led to an arrest warrant for Ned and the imprisonment of his mother Ellen on dubious charges. Going on the run into the Wombat Ranges, Kelly and his gang (brother Dan Kelly, Joe Byrne, and Steve Hart) were cornered by police at Stringybark Creek in October 1878; a deadly shootout ensued in which three policemen were killed. Outlawed under the Felons Apprehension Act, the Kelly Gang executed audacious, bloodless bank robberies at Euroa and Jerilderie.</p>
<p>At Jerilderie in 1879, Kelly dictated his immortal 56-page <em>Jerilderie Letter</em>, a searing manifesto denouncing British police corruption, class oppression, and advocating for poor selectors. The saga ended dramatically at the Glenrowan Hotel in June 1880, where the gang forged suits of bulletproof plate armor from plowshares. After an epic gun battle against overwhelming police forces, Kelly was shot in the legs, captured, and hanged at Old Melbourne Gaol on November 11, 1880, at age twenty-five. His famous final words were reported as: <em>'Such is life.'</em></p>