Not uncommon either on men from other walks of life, it’s a style exemplifying the 1850s to 1870s idea that beards were an outward sign of the masculine qualities most valued in blokey Victorian times.
1 The Burke. 2 Robert O'Hara Burke, Leader of the Victorian Expedition, 1860-1861 Henry Samuel Sadd, Fergusson & Mitchell, Melbourne after Thomas Adams Hill. 3 William John Wills, 2nd in command of the Victorian Expedition, 1860-1861 Henry Samuel Sadd, Fergusson & Mitchell, Melbourne after Thomas Adams Hill. 4 Nicholas Chevalier, c. 1867 Johnstone O'Shannessy & Co. 5 William Saurin Lyster, mid to late 1860s Davies & Co. 6 Max Meldrum, 1951 Graeme Inson. © Harvey Shore.