It's the birthday of Henry Lawson (1867), Kerry Greenwood (1954) and Gail Jones (1955) today. Again showing that there is something to this clumping theory of mine. Lawson needs little introduction as he is considered to be in the top rank of Australian authors.
He's not as well-known as Banjo Paterson for his iconic poetry, but he was probably a better short story writer with his collections, While the Billy Boils and Joe Wilson and His Mates, being considered classics of the genre. He struggled throughout his life to earn a decent living and to rid himself of his alcoholism. He died in 1922, aged just 55. His loss was keenly felt and C.J. Dennis, amongst many others, sang his praises after he'd gone.
Kerry Greenwood is best known for her Phryne Fisher series of mystery stories and is one of the most popular writers of detective novels in Australia today. Matilda recently looked at the reviews of her novel Heavenly Pleasures. Greenwood lives in Melbourne.
Western Australian Gail Jones is currently in the limelight for her novel Sixty Lights which was longlisted for the 2004 Booker Prize and has been shortlisted for the 2005 Miles Franklin Award. Reviews of the novel were covered here in Matilda in January.
