Origins & Early Life

Francis James Gillen (28 October 1855 – 5 June 1912), also known as Frank Gillen and F. J. Gillen, was an early Australian anthropologist and ethnologist. He is known for his work with W.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Baldwin Spencer, including their seminal work The Native Tribes of Central Australia (1899). They both worked in central Australia, where Gillen was employed as a telegraph station master, with the Arrernte people and other Indigenous Australians. Francis James Gillen was born on 28 October 1855 at Little Para, South Australia, the eldest son of Thomas Gillen and Bridget (née McCan). He was also known as Frank. He entered the public service in 1867, and was employed as a postal messenger at Clare.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was transferred to Adelaide in 1871 where his duties also included telegraph operation. In 1875, Gillen was employed on the Australian Overland Telegraph Line, and was stationed at Charlotte Waters telegraph station from 1875 to 1892, during which time he recorded various Aboriginal words and phrases and travelled to other nearby Telegraph stations, including the Peake. He was appointed the Alice Springs post and telegraph Station Master in 1892. At the time Alice Springs was part...

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