Joseph Furphy (1843-1912) was born at Yering Station in Victoria, Australia. Raised working on his father's farms, he enjoyed writing in his youth. In 1866, he married Leonie Germain and in 1873, he left farm labouring life and bought a team of bullocks. However, drought resulted in huge loses and around 1884, he accepted a position in the foundry of his brother John at Shepparton.
