While scientists had other plans for the prized Australian animals, the French emperor stepped in to ensure his beloved Josephine got her way.

In the early 1800s, Napoléon Bonaparte’s wife set her heart on acquiring a vast collection of wombats, kangaroos, black swans and dwarf emus to roam the magnificent gardens at her home, Chateau de Malmaison. And while scientists had other plans for the prized Australian animals, the French emperor stepped in to ensure his beloved Josephine got her way. State Library Victoria reference librarian Andrew McConville joins the show to tell the story.

<p>In the early 1800s, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napol%C3%A9on_Bonaparte" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napol%25C3%25A9on_Bonaparte&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1697697102749000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Bd0DRypKMl_TrBoGBFbp7">Napoléon Bonaparte</a>’s wife set her heart on acquiring a vast collection of wombats, kangaroos, black swans and dwarf emus to roam the magnificent gardens at her home, Chateau de Malmaison. And while scientists had other plans for the prized Australian animals, the French emperor stepped in to ensure his beloved Josephine got her way. State Library Victoria reference librarian Andrew McConville joins the show to tell the story.</p>

Host Jen Kelly talks with experts and historians to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors.

From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors. 

<p>From alleyway gangsters to cold war spies to eccentric entrepreneurs, Australian history is full of colourful but forgotten characters. Host Jen Kelly talks with experts, historians and yarn spinners to uncover the untold stories of some of our most interesting and offbeat ancestors. </p>

A podcast miniseries about Melbourne's forgotten characters. Presented by the Herald Sun

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