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Brian O’Malley on James ‘King O’Malley’ Malley | Larrikin, Maverick, and “Accused Murderer”

This is the story of how James became ‘King’ as told by Brian O’Malley (of no relation to his subject) Australian historian and author of How James Became King.

‘King’ O’Malley is known to history as a larrikin and maverick politician, member of the first Australian Federal Parliament and Federal Minister, whose political career spanned two decades. Arriving from America in the late 1880s he quickly drew attention through his public shenanigans; his theatrical storytelling, fashionable accoutrements, and ‘larger than life’ Yankee persona.

However, his past remained shrouded in mystery. On the other side of the Pacific another mystery remained unresolved. Following the notorious 1882 New Haven, Connecticut, trial and acquittal of James Malley, main suspect in the death of Jennie Cramer, Malley disappears from official records in the north east United States, and the saga begins.