Who they were
Born into a poor Irish-immigrant family, Ned Kelly took to the run with a gang after clashes with police and became known for robbing banks.
What they did
He left behind the Jerilderie Letter, setting out his anger at unjust treatment. In 1880, at a final showdown at Glenrowan, he traded fire with police wearing armour made of iron plates.
Legacy
Captured, Kelly was hanged in Melbourne that year. He has been judged ever since as both a hero who resisted oppression and a mere criminal, and has become one of Australia’s national legends.