History
The island was originally known as 'mallone' or 'mallin' in the local Aboriginal language. In 1835 a whaling station was established on the island and purchased by John Griffiths, after whom the island was named. At about the same time, sealers established themselves there, though overhunting soon eradicated the local population of seals. Whaling ceased in 1843.
In about 1850 a mission to the Aborigines was established on the island, though it only lasted about three years.
Read more about this topic: Griffiths Island
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.”
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
“English history is all about men liking their fathers, and American history is all about men hating their fathers and trying to burn down everything they ever did.”
—Malcolm Bradbury (b. 1932)
“American time has stretched around the world. It has become the dominant tempo of modern history, especially of the history of Europe.”
—Harold Rosenberg (1906–1978)