To the public the Scotland native was a ­highly acclaimed dancer who arrived in the Hunter region in the late 1870s where he proceeded to thrill Maitland audiences with his spectacular exhibition dances and taught hundreds of locals to dance.

But the public persona of this larger-than-life character masked some secrets and puzzles, and his time in Maitland was marked by sudden disappearances, parallel careers and long absences interstate and overseas.

Next week Ray Christison will reveal his great-grandfather’s secrets during a Maitland City Library Look Who’s Talking local history event.

Titled Fancy Footwork, the presentation will tell the tale of Professor Christison’s checkered life which included bank­ruptcy, adultery, cruelty and kidnapping.

“Through researching and organising this event, a spellbinding identity in Maitland’s cultural history has been unearthed,” Maitland City Council heritage officer Clare James said.

The Hunter Folk Dancers will re-enact the 1880s John Gilles Quadrille – choreographed by Professor Christison – during the event.

John Gilles was mayor of Maitland at that time.

“Dance is literally at the heart of Maitland, with the Maitland Town Hall boasting a sprung floor, now a rare facility in Australia,” Ms James said.

“With a strong interest in dance across all age groups, we thought it was time for us to delve a little deeper into what is clearly a strong tradition in Maitland.”

Fancy Footwork will be held at Maitland Gaol on Thursday, October 10, at 6pm.