This thesis is an attempt to re-appraise the history of Brother Ronald Fogarty in his work Catholic Education in Australia 1806-1950 in the light of the specific themes which he determines as basic to the development of Catholic education.
It has been generally acknowledged that these themes are not only relevant to the Catholic or educational sphere of Australian history, but also provide insight into the development of Australian society as a whole.
Fogarty's history celebrates the triumph of a minority group as part of a reaction to the developments instituted by the majority.
Overall, Fogarty's interpretation of why and how a separate Catholic education system developed makes a significant contribution to Australian historiography in general.