Ned Kelly, born Edward Kelly on June 1854 in Beveridge, Victoria, Australia, is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in Australian history. He was the eldest son of Irish immigrants John "Red" Kelly and Ellen Quinn. Kelly's life was marked by a series of events that led him from being a common bushranger to a symbol of resistance against the colonial authorities.

Kelly's early life was fraught with hardship. His father, a former convict, died when Ned was just twelve, leaving his family in poverty. Ned soon became involved in petty crimes, which escalated over the years. By his late teens, he was well-known to the police.

The Kelly family's conflicts with the law culminated in a violent encounter in 1878, when Ned and his gang—consisting of his brother Dan, and friends Joe Byrne and Steve Hart—killed three policemen at Stringybark Creek. This incident led to the gang being declared outlaws, with a significant reward placed on their capture.

The Kelly Gang evaded capture for two years, during which they conducted several bank robberies and gained a reputation for both their boldness and their efforts to distribute money to the poor. The climax of their outlaw career came in 1880 at Glenrowan, where the gang, donning homemade armor, engaged in a final standoff with police. Ned Kelly was captured, while the other gang members were killed.

Ned Kelly was tried and found guilty of murder. He was hanged at the Melbourne Gaol on November 11, 1880. His final words are famously reported to be "Such is life."

Kelly's life and death have left a lasting legacy. He is often seen as a folk hero and a symbol of the struggles of the working class against an oppressive system. His story has been retold in numerous books, films, and songs, cementing his place in Australian cultural history.