Charles Wheeler Ambrose Pratt

The subject of this Archibald Prize-winning portrait by Charles Wheeler is writer Ambrose Pratt (1874-1944), who was described by the Melbourne Star of 24 January 1934 as ‘one of Melbourne’s best known men of letters, and also one of our most picturesque citizens’.

Trained as a solicitor, Pratt gave up his law practice for a career as a journalist and writer of popular novels. He was also a passionate advocate for the protection and preservation of Australian flora and fauna.