Buckley, William (1780-1856), an escaped convict, lived with Aboriginal people in Victoria, Australia, for 32 years. Many people believe that his story gave rise to the expression Buckley’s chance—meaning little or no chance—because Buckley had little hope of returning to colonial society.
Buckley was born about 1780 in Macclesfield, England. He was transported to Australia for receiving stolen goods. When Lieutenant Colonel David Collins tried unsuccessfully to establish a penal settlement at Port Phillip Bay in 1803, Buckley escaped. Aboriginal people saved him from starvation. Buckley was found by a party led by John Batman, an Australian colonist who founded Melbourne, in October 1835. After 32 years, Buckley at first had difficulty remembering how to speak English. In 1837, he went to Tasmania, where he married. Buckley died on Jan. 31, 1856.
