Daniel Morgan (bushranger)

Daniel Morgan
'Morgan the Bushranger', an 1864 woodblock print by Samuel Calvert.
Born
John Owen

(1830-04-30)30 April 1830
Appin, New South Wales, Australia
Died9 April 1865(1865-04-09) (aged 34)
Peechelba station, Victoria, Australia
OccupationBushranger

Daniel Morgan was the most famous alias of John Owen (30 April 1830 – 9 April 1865), an Australian bushranger described as "the most bloodthirsty ruffian that ever took to the bush in Australia."[1] Many accounts of Morgan's activities, particularly in the years after his death, emphasise his brutality and erratic behaviour, but Morgan had many sympathisers in the areas where he was active. Morgan was an expert bushman with superb horse-riding skills, a combination of abilities which enabled him to evade capture by the authorities for a significant period of time.[2]

After Morgan killed a police sergeant in June 1864, the Government of New South Wales offered a one-thousand pound reward for his apprehension. He was shot and killed in April 1865 after holding up Peechelba station in Victoria.

Morgan was known by multiple aliases during his criminal career, including Jack Morgan, John Smith, Sydney Bill, Warrigal, Dan the Breaker, Down-the-River Jack and Beardie. His life and exploits inspired the 1976 Ozploitation film Mad Dog Morgan, featuring Dennis Hopper in the title role.

  1. ^ Australian Bushrangers: Daniel Morgan, Wagga Wagga Advertiser, 1 August 1908, page 5.
  2. ^ Phelan, Aidan (19 November 2019). "Morgan and the Magistrate". A Guide to Australian Bushranging. Retrieved 18 April 2021.