Bony (Fictional Character)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bony is a half Aboriginal, half-white detective character created by Arthur Upfield. His white father is unknown and his Aboriginal mother was murdered while he was still an infant.[1] Bony's real name and title is Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte. He has a Masters Degree in Criminal Science from Brisbane University.[2] Bony appeared in dozens of Upfield's novels from the late 1920s until his death in 1964. He is a member of the Queensland police force, although the novels are set throughout Australia.[3]
Although his age is not specifically mentioned in the novels, Bony seems to be in his early fifties. He is married to Mary, and they have three adult sons.
A TV series was made of the character 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.
A later TV series beginning in 1990 (and spelt Bony) 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.
