Uncommon Sense's host Amy Mullins delves into Melbourne's shadowy past with a discussion featuring author and historian Barbara Minchinton. The focus is on Barbara's new book, Madame Brussels: Melbourne's Most Notorious Woman, which brings to light the enigmatic figure of Caroline Hodgson, better known as Madame Brussels.

Madame Brussels was a notorious brothel keeper in nineteenth-century Melbourne, a figure who has long been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Barbara's book uncovers the life and times of Hodgson, revealing the woman behind the scandalous persona. With a meticulous eye for detail, Minchinton explores Hodgson’s rise to notoriety, her influence on Melbourne's underworld, and the social dynamics of the time that allowed her to thrive.

Barbara offers a fascinating glimpse into the hidden history of Melbourne, through the insights from her research and discusses the broader implications of Hodgson's life on our understanding of the city’s past.

"It only just scratches the surface, I guarantee you. There is so much detail in this book that we didn't get to mention."

Photo credit:  Caroline Hodgson Collection, Manuscripts Collection, State Library Victoria