The case of Annie Barnett v Henry Barnett

As divorce became more available in the second half of the nineteenth century, an increasing number of women sought divorce or separation on the ‘grounds of cruelty’. This term equates to what we now more commonly call domestic violence. In 1877, Annie Barnett petitioned for separation on grounds of cruelty. Annie was the wife of Henry Barnett, Colonial Surgeon for Fremantle and Superintendent of the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum. The divorce proceedings, as well as the newspaper reports of the time, provide a rich source of information about the varying consequences for both Annie and Henry as their private life became public.

Tue 24th Sep | 5-7pm | Free

Fremantle Library, Mardoo Room, Walyalup Civic Centre