Bony (Fictional Character)
Encyclopedia
Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte (Bony) is a half Aboriginal
, half-white detective character created by Arthur Upfield
. Bony appeared in dozens of Upfield's novels from the late 1920s until the author's death in 1964.
.
police force, although the novels are set throughout Australia
.
Bony often works undercover, usually as a station hand or labourer, with only a few senior police aware of his true identity. He frequently uses the alias Nat Bonnar, but other names such as Robert Burns are used also. He often states that "my friends call me Bony".
Bony is an accomplished tracker, but admits his shortcomings and will sometimes request, or permit, the use of more experience native trackers.
was an Australian television series made in 1972, featuring James Laurenson
in the title role. The name was spelt 'Boney' for the series, and some editions of the novels kept this spelling for later editions.
Bony
was also a 1990 telemovie and later a 1992 spin-off TV series (using the original 'Bony' spelling). However, the series was criticised for casting Bony as a white man (played by Cameron Daddo
), under the tutelage of "Uncle Albert", an elderly Aborigine played by Burnum Burnum
.
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
, half-white detective character created by Arthur Upfield
Arthur Upfield
Arthur William Upfield was an Australian writer, best known for his works of detective fiction featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte of the Queensland Police Force, a half-caste Aborigine....
. Bony appeared in dozens of Upfield's novels from the late 1920s until the author's death in 1964.
Early life
His white father is unknown and his Aboriginal mother was murdered while he was still an infant. He has a Masters Degree in Criminal Science from Brisbane UniversityUniversity of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
.
Career
He is a member of the QueenslandQueensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
police force, although the novels are set throughout Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Bony often works undercover, usually as a station hand or labourer, with only a few senior police aware of his true identity. He frequently uses the alias Nat Bonnar, but other names such as Robert Burns are used also. He often states that "my friends call me Bony".
Bony is an accomplished tracker, but admits his shortcomings and will sometimes request, or permit, the use of more experience native trackers.
Personal life
Although his age is not specifically mentioned in the novels, Bony seems to be in his early fifties. He is married to Marie, lives in Banyo in Brisbane, and they have three adult sons, the oldest, Charles, is studying to be a doctor.Television portrayals
BoneyBoney (TV series)
Boney is an Australian television series produced by Fauna Productions during 1971 and 1972, featuring James Laurenson in the title role of Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte...
was an Australian television series made in 1972, featuring James Laurenson
James Laurenson
James Laurenson is a New Zealand actor, who has performed many classical roles on stage and television.Laurenson was born in Marton, New Zealand...
in the title role. The name was spelt 'Boney' for the series, and some editions of the novels kept this spelling for later editions.
Bony
Bony (TV series)
Bony is an Australian television series made in 1992. The series of 13 episodes followed on from a telemovie made in 1990. The series was criticised for casting a white man as the title character Detective David John Bonaparte , under the tutelage of "Uncle Albert", an elderly Aborigine played by...
was also a 1990 telemovie and later a 1992 spin-off TV series (using the original 'Bony' spelling). However, the series was criticised for casting Bony as a white man (played by Cameron Daddo
Cameron Daddo
Cameron Peter Daddo is an Australian actor, musician and presenter. He is the brother of Andrew Daddo and Lochie Daddo.-Australian television:...
), under the tutelage of "Uncle Albert", an elderly Aborigine played by Burnum Burnum
Burnum Burnum
Burnum Burnum was an Australian Aboriginal activist, actor, and author. He was born a Woiworrung and Yorta Yorta man at Wallaga Lake in southern New South Wales...
.