List of years in Australian literature

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This page gives a chronological list of years in Australian literature (descending order), with notable publications and events listed with their respective years. The time covered in individual years covers the period of European settlement of the country.

See Table of years in literature for an overview of all "year in literature" pages.

21st century[]

2020s[]

  • 2021 in Australian literature: Death of Kate Jennings, Tim Thorne
  • 2020 in Australian literature: Death of Bruce Dawe, Elizabeth Harrower

2010s[]

  • 2019 in Australian literature: Death of Andrew McGahan, Les Murray, Clive James
  • 2018 in Australian literature: Death of Peter Temple, Peter Corris
  • 2017 in Australian literature: Death of Peter Luck
  • 2016 in Australian literature: Death of Leonie Kramer, Gillian Mears Brian Castro
  • 2015 in Australian literature: CladeJames Bradley; The World Without UsMireille Juchau; Black Rock White CityA. S. Patrić; The Natural Way of ThingsCharlotte Wood; Life or Death by Michael Robotham wins the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger award (UK); Death of Veronica Brady, Colleen McCullough
  • 2014 in Australian literature: AmnesiaPeter Carey; In Certain CirclesElizabeth Harrower; The Eye of the SheepSofie Laguna; The Golden AgeJoan London; ClarielGarth Nix; The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan wins the 2014 Man Booker Prize; Death of Liam Davison, Morris Lurie
  • 2013 in Australian literature: The Childhood of JesusJ.M. Coetzee; The Narrow Road to the Deep NorthRichard Flanagan; Burial RitesHannah Kent; EyrieTim Winton; All The Birds, SingingEvie Wyld; Death of Keith Dunstan, Christopher Koch
  • 2012 in Australian literature: The Chemistry of TearsPeter Carey; Questions of TravelMichelle de Kretser; The Rosie ProjectGraeme Simsion; The Hanging GardenPatrick White; Death of Bryce Courtenay, Rosemary Dobson, Max Fatchen, Robert Hughes; Brian Castro
  • 2011 in Australian literature: All That I AmAnna Funder; Sarah ThornhillKate Grenville; Foal's BreadGillian Mears; Death of Sara Douglass, T. A. G. Hungerford, Hazel Rowley
  • 2010 in Australian literature: Beautiful MaliceRebecca James; That Deadman DanceKim Scott; BereftChris Womersley; Death of Jessica Anderson, Ruth Park, Peter Porter, David Rowbotham, Patricia Wrightson; Glenda Guest receives the Commonwealth Writers Prize best first book.

2000s[]

  • 2009 in Australian literature: Parrot and Olivier in AmericaPeter Carey; RansomDavid Malouf; TruthPeter Temple; The Bath FuguesBrian Castro
  • 2008 in Australian literature: Death of Dorothy Porter, Ivan Southall, Eleanor Spence; The Spare RoomHelen Garner; The SlapChristos Tsiolkas; BreathTim Winton; Sonya Hartnett receives the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
  • 2007 in Australian literature: Death of Elizabeth Jolley; The Time We Have TakenSteven Carroll; The Zookeeper's WarSteven Conte; The Lost DogMichelle de Kretser; The Broken ShorePeter Temple wins the Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie Dagger award (UK)
  • 2006 in Australian literature: Death of Colin Thiele; The ArrivalShaun Tan; CarpentariaAlexis Wright; The Garden BookBrian Castro
  • 2005 in Australian literature: Death of Donald Horne; The Secret RiverKate Grenville; A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Improbable Birth of AustraliaTom Keneally; The Ballad of Desmond KaleRoger McDonald; Shanghai DancingBrian Castro
  • 2004 in Australian literature: Death of Thea Astley; Sixty LightsGail Jones; The White EarthAndrew McGahan
  • 2003 in Australian literature: Death of Joan Phipson; MangrovesLaurie Duggan; The Great FireShirley Hazzard wins the National Book Award (USA)
  • 2002 in Australian literature: Death of Dorothy Hewett; Moral HazardKate Jennings; Journey to the Stone CountryAlex Miller
  • 2001 in Australian literature: Death of Amy Witting; Quarterly Essay publishes its first issue; True History of the Kelly GangPeter Carey wins the Man Booker Prize; Gould's Book of FishRichard Flanagan; Stravinsky's LunchDrusilla Modjeska; Dirt MusicTim Winton
  • 2000 in Australian literature: Death of A. D. Hope; Death of Judith Wright; The Day We Had Hitler HomeRodney Hall; Dark PalaceFrank Moorhouse

20th century[]

1990s[]

  • 1999 in Australian literature: Death of Morris West; DrylandsThea Astley; The Idea of PerfectionKate Grenville; BenangKim Scott; The Quality of SprawlLes Murray
  • 1998 in Australian literature: Death of Geoffrey Dutton, Elizabeth Riddell; EucalyptusMurray Bail; Fredy NeptuneLes Murray; Romulus, My FatherRaymond Gaita
  • 1997 in Australian literature: Death of Dal Stivens; Death of George Turner; The Endeavour Journal of Sir Joseph Banks, 1768–71Joseph Banks; Jack MaggsPeter Carey
  • 1996 in Australian literature: Death of P. L. Travers; A Mapmaker's DreamJames Cowan; The Glade within the GroveDavid Foster; Remembering BabylonDavid Malouf wins the International Dublin Literary Award; Subhuman Redneck PoemsLes Murray
  • 1995 in Australian literature: Death of Gwen Harwood; The First StoneHelen Garner; Highways to a WarChristopher Koch
  • 1994 in Australian literature: Death of Frank Hardy; The Hand That Signed the PaperHelen Demidenko; Permutation CityGreg Egan; The Monkey's MaskDorothy Porter; Brian Castro
  • 1993 in Australian literature: Death of Nancy Keesing; The Grisly WifeRodney Hall; Grand DaysFrank Moorhouse; Christina Stead: A BiographyHazel Rowley
  • 1992 in Australian literature: Honk If You Are JesusPeter Goldsworthy; PraiseAndrew McGahan; The Ancestor GameAlex Miller; Looking for AlibrandiMelina Marchetta; After ChinaBrian Castro
  • 1991 in Australian literature: Death of Manning Clark; Our SunshineRobert Drewe; Patrick White: A LifeDavid Marr; CloudstreetTim Winton; Double-WolfBrian Castro
  • 1990 in Australian literature: Death of Patrick White; Cabin FeverElizabeth Jolley; The Great WorldDavid Malouf

1980s[]

  • 1989 in Australian literature: The Power of OneBryce Courtenay; Oceana FineTom Flood; MaestroPeter Goldsworthy; I for IsobelAmy Witting
  • 1988 in Australian literature: Oscar and LucindaPeter Carey wins the Man Booker Prize
  • 1987 in Australian literature: Dancing on CoralGlenda Adams; The SonglinesBruce Chatwin; LouisaBrian Matthews; My PlaceSally Morgan; The Sea and SummerGeorge Turner; Emerald CityDavid Williamson
  • 1986 in Australian literature: The WellElizabeth Jolley; Julia ParadiseRod Jones; The Fatal ShoreRobert Hughes
  • 1985 in Australian literature: Lillian's StoryKate Grenville; The DoublemanChristopher Koch
  • 1984 in Australian literature: Death of Xavier Herbert; Archimedes and the SeagleDavid Ireland; Milk and HoneyElizabeth Jolley; ShallowsTim Winton
  • 1983 in Australian literature: Death of Christina Stead; Possum MagicMem Fox; Brian Castro
  • 1982 in Australian literature: Just RelationsRodney Hall; Schindler's ArkTom Keneally wins the Man Booker Prize; The PlainsGerald Murnane
  • 1981 in Australian literature: Death of Dymphna Cusack; BlissPeter Carey; A Fortunate LifeAlbert Facey
  • 1980 in Australian literature: The ImpersonatorsJessica Anderson; The Dying TradePeter Corris; TracksRobyn Davidson; The Transit of VenusShirley Hazzard; Unreliable MemoirsClive James

1970s[]

  • 1979 in Australian literature: Death of David Campbell, Ion Idriess; A Woman of the FutureDavid Ireland; The VisitantsRandolph Stow
  • 1978 in Australian literature: Tirra Lirra By the RiverJessica Anderson; An Imaginary LifeDavid Malouf
  • 1977 in Australian literature: Monkey GripHelen Garner; The Thorn BirdsColleen McCullough; Swords and Crowns and RingsRuth Park; The ClubDavid Williamson
  • 1976 in Australian literature: Death of James McAuley; The Glass CanoeDavid Ireland; "The Buladelah-Taree Holiday Song Cycle" – Les Murray;
  • 1975 in Australian literature: Poor Fellow My CountryXavier Herbert; Gossip from the ForestThomas Keneally
  • 1974 in Australian literature: Death of Eve Langley; Peter's PenceJon Cleary; The Mango TreeRonald McKie; Neighbours in a Thicket: PoemsDavid Malouf
  • 1973 in Australian literature: Patrick White is awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature; The BreakerKit Denton; The Nargun and the StarsPatricia Wrightson
  • 1972 in Australian literature: Death of Martin Boyd; The AcolyteThea Astley; The Chant of Jimmie BlacksmithTom Keneally
  • 1971 in Australian literature: Death of Kenneth Slessor; JoshIvan Southall wins the Carnegie Medal (UK); The Unknown Industrial PrisonerDavid Ireland; A Cartload of ClayGeorge Johnston; Don's PartyDavid Williamson
  • 1970 in Australian literature: Death of Nan Chauncy, George Johnston; The Female EunuchGermaine Greer; A Horse of AirDal Stivens; The VivisectorPatrick White

1960s[]

1950s[]

  • 1959 in Australian literature: Death of Vance Palmer; Kings in Grass CastlesMary Durack; The Big FellowVance Palmer; The Devil's AdvocateMorris West
  • 1958 in Australian literature: First Miles Franklin Literary Award presented; Devil's HillNan Chauncy; 10 for 66 and All ThatArthur Mailey; To the IslandsRandolph Stow
  • 1957 in Australian literature: Tiger in the BushNan Chauncy; On the BeachNevil Shute; VossPatrick White
  • 1956 in Australian literature: The Brown Land was GreenMavis Thorpe Clark; Beyond the Black StumpNevil Shute
  • 1955 in Australian literature: Death of Rex Ingamells; The Wandering IslandsA. D. Hope; Summer of the Seventeenth DollRay Lawler; I Can Jump PuddlesAlan Marshall; The ShiraleeD'Arcy Niland; The Tree of ManPatrick White
  • 1954 in Australian literature: Death of Miles Franklin; White TopeeEve Langley; "At Cooloolah" – Judith Wright
  • 1953 in Australian literature: The Big ChariotCharmian Clift and George Johnston; Southern SteelDymphna Cusack; "Old Botany Bay" – Mary Gilmore
  • 1952 in Australian literature: The Cardboard CrownMartin Boyd; The SundownersJon Cleary
  • 1951 in Australian literature: Death of Daisy Bates; Come in SpinnerDymphna Cusack & Florence James; The Great South Land: An Epic PoemRex Ingamells
  • 1950 in Australian literature: Farewell to CricketDon Bradman; Power Without GloryFrank Hardy; A Town Like AliceNevil Shute

1940s[]

  • 1949 in Australian literature: Death of Roderic Quinn; Poor Man's OrangeRuth Park; Woman to Man - Judith Wright
  • 1948 in Australian literature: The Harp in the SouthRuth Park; Golden MilesKatharine Susannah Prichard; The Aunt's StoryPatrick White
  • 1947 in Australian literature: Death of Lennie Lower; Grace Leven Prize for Poetry is awarded for the first time; Tomorrow and TomorrowM. Barnard Eldershaw
  • 1946 in Australian literature: Death of Henry Handel Richardson; Lucinda BrayfordMartin Boyd; My Career Goes BungMiles Franklin; "Woman to Child" – Judith Wright
  • 1945 in Australian literature: The Cousin from FijiNorman Lindsay; "The Tomb of Lt. John Learmonth, AIF" – J. S. Manifold
  • 1944 in Australian literature: Death of Capel Boake; Ern Malley poems first published; "Beach Burial" – Kenneth Slessor; For Love AloneChristina Stead; "Bullocky" – Judith Wright
  • 1943 in Australian literature: Death of Louis Esson; Ride on StrangerKylie Tennant; "South of My Days" – Judith Wright
  • 1942 in Australian literature: Death of John Shaw Neilson; "Nationality" – Mary Gilmore; The Pea-PickersEve Langley
  • 1941 in Australian literature: Death of Banjo Paterson; The BattlersKylie Tennant
  • 1940 in Australian literature: Meanjin magazine publishes its first issue; "No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest" – Mary Gilmore; The Man Who Loved ChildrenChristina Stead

1930s[]

  • 1939 in Australian literature: BattlefieldsMary Gilmore; "Five Bells" – Kenneth Slessor; Happy ValleyPatrick White Southerly magazine publishes its first issue
  • 1938 in Australian literature: Death of C. J. Dennis; Moonlight AcreR. D. FitzGerald; CapricorniaXavier Herbert; House of All NationsChristina Stead
  • 1937 in Australian literature: The PicnicMartin Boyd; The Young Desire ItSeaforth Mackenzie; Under CapricornHelen Simpson
  • 1936 in Australian literature: Death of Arthur Henry Adams; Return to CoolamiEleanor Dark; All That SwaggerMiles Franklin
  • 1935 in Australian literature: Death of Mabel Forrest, Louise Mack, Frederick Manning; Earth's QualityWinifred Birkett; The Lemon FarmMartin Boyd; The Singing GardenC. J. Dennis
  • 1934 in Australian literature: Prelude to ChristopherEleanor Dark; Mary PoppinsP. L. Travers
  • 1933 in Australian literature: Death of John Le Gay Brereton; Bring the MonkeyMiles Franklin; PageantG. B. Lancaster; Blinky BillDorothy Wall
  • 1932 in Australian literature: Death of Christopher Brennan, Fergus Hume; Flesh in ArmourLeonard Mann
  • 1931 in Australian literature: Death of Edward Dyson; Man-ShyFrank Dalby Davison; Back to Bool BoolMiles Franklin; "Five Visions of Captain Cook" – Kenneth Slessor
  • 1930 in Australian literature: Here's LuckLennie Lower; The PassageVance Palmer

1920s[]

  • 1929 in Australian literature: Death of Barbara Baynton; A Man's LifeArthur H. Adams; Ultima ThuleHenry Handel Richardson
  • 1928 in Australian literature: ALS Gold Medal is awarded for the first time; The MontfordsMartin Boyd; Up the CountryMiles Franklin; CoonardooKatharine Susannah Prichard; "Choker's Lane" – Kenneth Slessor
  • 1927 in Australian literature: "Happiness" – Katharine Susannah Prichard; "Country Towns" – Kenneth Slessor
  • 1926 in Australian literature: The Butcher ShopJean Devanny; "The Gentle Water Bird" – John Shaw Neilson
  • 1925 in Australian literature: The Way HomeHenry Handel Richardson
  • 1924 in Australian literature: The Boy in the BushD. H. Lawrence and M. L. Skinner
  • 1923 in Australian literature: KangarooD. H. Lawrence
  • 1922 in Australian literature: Death of Henry Lawson; "Schoolgirls Hastening" – John Shaw Neilson; "Nuremberg" – Kenneth Slessor
  • 1921 in Australian literature: A Book for KidsC. J. Dennis; "Said Hanrahan" – John O'Brien
  • 1920 in Australian literature: "The Farmer Remembers the Somme" – Vance Palmer

1910s[]

  • 1919 in Australian literature: Death of J.F. Archibald; The Burning MarlJohn Le Gay Brereton; Out of the SilenceErle Cox; The Escapades of AnnEdward Dyson; Heart of SpringJohn Shaw Neilson; The Shrieking PitArthur J Rees
  • 1918 in Australian literature: Sally: The Tale of a Currency LassJ. H. M. Abbott; Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie: Their Wonderful AdventuresMay Gibbs; The Magic PuddingNorman Lindsay
  • 1917 in Australian literature: Death of Sumner Locke; Songs of Love and LifeZora Cross; Songs of a CampaignLeon Gellert; Australia FelixHenry Handel Richardson
  • 1916 in Australian literature: The Moods of Ginger MickC. J. Dennis; Samaritan MarySumner Locke
  • 1915 in Australian literature: Death of Rolf Boldrewood; The Songs of a Sentimental BlokeC. J. Dennis
  • 1914 in Australian literature: Green Days and Cherries: the early verses of Shaw NeilsonJohn Shaw Neilson
  • 1913 in Australian literature: Poems: 1913Christopher Brennan; "The Robe of Grass" – John Le Gay Brereton; Backblock Ballads and Other VersesC. J. Dennis; A Curate in BohemiaNorman Lindsay
  • 1912 in Australian literature: Death of Joseph Furphy; The Poems of Adam Lindsay GordonAdam Lindsay Gordon
  • 1911 in Australian literature: "A Ballad of Eureka" – Victor Daley; JonahLouis Stone
  • 1910 in Australian literature: Death of Mary Fortune; The Getting of WisdomHenry Handel Richardson

1900s[]

19th century[]

1890s[]

1880s[]

  • 1889 in Australian literature: "The Teams" – Henry Lawson; "Clancy of the Overflow" – Banjo Paterson
  • 1888 in Australian literature: The History of Australian Exploration from 1788 to 1888Ernest Favenc; "Andy's Gone with Cattle" – Henry Lawson
  • 1887 in Australian literature: How He Died and Other PoemsJohn Farrell;The Bond of WedlockRosa Praed; The Sphinx of EaglehawkRolf Boldrewood
  • 1886 in Australian literature: The Mystery of the Hansom CabFergus Hume; "The Buried Chief" – Henry Parkes
  • 1885 in Australian literature: The Head StationRosa Praed; Where the Pelican Builds and Other PoemsMary Hannay Foott
  • 1884 in Australian literature: Plain LivingRolf Boldrewood; "Drought and Doctrine" – J. Brunton Stephens
  • 1883 in Australian literature: "How He Died" – John Farrell; PoemsCharles Harpur
  • 1882 in Australian literature: Death of Henry Kendall; Robbery Under ArmsRolf Boldrewood
  • 1881 in Australian literature: Death of Marcus Clarke; "Where the Pelican Builds" – Mary Hannay Foott; The Austral MonthsHenry Kendall
  • 1880 in Australian literature: The Bulletin magazine publishes its first issue; Songs from the MountainsHenry Kendall

1870s[]

  • 1879 in Australian literature: "To My Sister" – Adam Lindsay Gordon; The Jerilderie LetterNed Kelly
  • 1878 in Australian literature: "Advance Australia Fair" – Peter Dodds McCormick; "The Dukite Snake" – John Boyle O'Reilly
  • 1877 in Australian literature: Babes in the BushRolf Boldrewood
  • 1876 in Australian literature: "Bill the Bullock Driver" – Henry Kendall
  • 1875 in Australian literature: The Manor House and Other PoemsAda Cambridge; "Mooni" – Henry Kendall
  • 1874 in Australian literature: "Song of the Shingle Splitters" – Henry Kendall
  • 1873 in Australian literature: "The Aurora Australis" – Mary Hannay Foott; By and By: an historical romance of the futureEdward Maitland; The Black Gin and Other PoemsJ. Brunton Stephens; Lady AnnaAnthony Trollope
  • 1872 in Australian literature: "Sydney Harbour" – Henry Kendall
  • 1871 in Australian literature: The Bushranger's AutobiographyMary Fortune
  • 1870 in Australian literature: Death of Adam Lindsay Gordon; For the Term of His Natural LifeMarcus Clarke until 1872; Bush Ballads and Galloping RhymesAdam Lindsay Gordon; "The Sick Stockrider" – Adam Lindsay Gordon

1860s[]

  • 1869 in Australian literature: Leaves from Australian ForestsHenry Kendall
  • 1868 in Australian literature: Death of Charles Harpur; "A Death in the Bush" – Henry Kendall
  • 1867 in Australian literature: Sea Spray and Smoke DriftAdam Lindsay Gordon; "Bell-Birds" – Henry Kendall
  • 1866 in Australian literature: Hymns on the Holy CommunionAda Cambridge
  • 1865 in Australian literature: Force and Fraud: A Tale of the BushEllen Davitt; "Cooee" – Mary Fortune; "Daniel Henry Deniehy" – Henry Kendall
  • 1864 in Australian literature: The Australasian newspaper publishes its first issue; Raven Rockstrow or, The Pedlar's Dream: A Romance of Melbourne – Henry Newton Goodrich; "The Last of His Tribe" – Henry Kendall; Mr Hogarth's WillCatherine Helen Spence
  • 1863 in Australian literature: "An Australian Girl's Farewell" – Emma Francis Anderson
  • 1862 in Australian literature: Poems and SongsHenry Kendall
  • 1861 in Australian literature: "Fainting by the Way" – Henry Kendall
  • 1860 in Australian literature: South Australian Lyrics – C. J. Carleton; Tasmanian Rhymings – John Anthony Moore; Margaret Falconer – Eliza Winstanley

1850s[]

  • 1859 in literature: The Recollections of Geoffry HamlynHenry Kingsley; Botany Bay, or, True Stories of the Early Days of AustraliaJohn Lang
  • 1858 in literature: The Kangaroo Hunters, or, Adventures in the Bush – Anne Bowman; "Aboriginal Death Song" – Charles Harpur
  • 1857 in literature: Gertrude, the Emigrant: A Tale of Colonial LifeLouisa Atkinson; The Two ConvictsFriedrich Gerstaecker; Songs Without MusicJames Lionel Michael
  • 1856 in literature: "A Storm in the Mountains" – Charles Harpur; Tender and True: A Colonial TaleCatherine Helen Spence
  • 1855 in literature: The Eureka StockadeRaffaello Carboni
  • 1854 in literature: Lyra Australis, or, Attempts to Sing in a Strange Land – Caroline W. Leakey
  • 1853 in literature: The Bushrangers, a Play in Five Acts, and Other PoemsCharles Harpur
  • 1852 in literature: Life and Adventures of William BuckleyJohn Morgan
  • 1851 in literature: "A Mid-Summer Noon in the Australian Forest" – Charles Harpur; Moyarra - G. W. Rusden
  • 1850 in literature: "Rhymes to a Lady with a Copy of Love Poems" – Charles Harpur; "Sunrise, from Bourke's Statue" – Henry Parkes

1840s[]

  • 1849 in literature: "Our Coming Countrymen" – Henry Parkes
  • 1848 in literature: Lucy Marline, or, The Bush-rangers: A Tale of New South Wales – Louis A. Baker
  • 1847 in literature: "The Genius and the Ghost" – William Forster; Australian Sketches – Thomas McCombie
  • 1846 in literature: The Bushranger of Van Diemen's LandCharles Rowcroft
  • 1845 in literature: "The Creek of the Four Graves" by Charles Harpur; "A Flight of Wild Ducks" by Charles Harpur; "Songs of the Squatters (No. 2)" – Robert Lowe
  • 1844 in literature: "To Mary" – Charles Harpur
  • 1843 in literature: "The Aboriginal Father" – Eliza Hamilton Dunlop; "To Charles Harpur" – Henry Parkes
  • 1842 in literature: "A War Song for the Nineteenth Century" – Charles Harpur; Stolen MomentsHenry Parkes; Tales of the ColoniesCharles Rowcroft
  • 1841 in literature: "My Native Land" – Henry Parkes
  • 1840 in literature: "The Convict's Grave" – Henry Parkes

1830s[]

1820s[]

1810s[]

  • 1819 in literature: First Fruits of Australian PoetryBarron Field; Memoirs of James Hardy VauxJames Hardy Vaux
  • 1818 in literature:
  • 1817 in literature:
  • 1816 in literature:
  • 1815 in literature:
  • 1814 in literature: A Voyage to Terra AustralisMatthew Flinders
  • 1813 in literature:
  • 1812 in literature:
  • 1811 in literature:
  • 1810 in literature: "Ode (for His Majesty's Birth Day)" – Michael Massey Robinson

1800s[]

  • 1809 in literature:
  • 1808 in literature:
  • 1807 in literature:
  • 1806 in literature:
  • 1805 in literature:
  • 1804 in literature:
  • 1803 in literature: The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, the first Australian newspaper begins publication
  • 1802 in literature:
  • 1801 in literature: Adventures on a Journey to New HollandTherese Huber
  • 1800 in literature: "Botany Bay Ecologues" – Robert Southey

18th century[]

1790s[]

1780s[]

1770s[]

External links[]

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