Women, birth, life and death : from the fictionalised diary of Mary Dean [extract]

In the mid-1890s, the so-called ‘Dean Case’ caused a sensation across Australia. George Dean was a 27-year-old Sydney ferry master, a handsome, moustached hero who had been awarded a gold watch for his dramatic rescue of two drowning female passengers. In March 1895, on the day of their first wedding anniversary, George was arrested for the poisoning and attempted murder of Mary, his 20-year-old wife and mother to their 10-week-old baby girl. During the trial it was not George, as the accused, whose actions and motivations were probed; instead the behaviour, habits, personality and character of his wife was minutely analysed and criticised. This climaxed in defence counsel arguments that Mary had poisoned herself, but the jury still found George guilty and he was sentenced to hang – the mandatory punishment for attempted murder at that time. Despite the jury’s unanimous verdict, a public outcry resulted in an inquiry and a royal pardon for George Dean. When it was revealed that he had, however, confessed his guilt to his lawyer, George was returned to gaol on perjury charges, although he never faced justice for the violence he perpetrated against his young wife. Accounts of the case since 1895 largely repeat these facts, perpetuating a focus on George Dean and the notable political and judicial figures involved in the scandal. Mary Dean’s story has mostlly been forgotten and ignored. This is, however, far more interesting and, like many women lost to Australian history, the details of her life can help cast light on some current prevalent attitudes and behaviours.