John Shaw Neilson (Book order)

John Shaw Neilson Book order

John Shaw Neilson, born to uneducated Scottish immigrants, found encouragement in his father, a self-taught poet. Neilson himself was self-educated, and his verses eventually found a place in The Bulletin, a popular magazine, though he primarily worked as a labourer and fruit-picker. It wasn't until his later years that his health declined and he began associating with literary circles, leading to the publication of his poetry and support from fellow writers. Though underappreciated during his lifetime, Neilson's lyric poetry gained significant recognition after his death, resulting in various editions, musical adaptations, biographies, and enduring literary accolades.

Collected Poems of John Shaw Neilson

228 pages
8 hours of reading

John Shaw Neilson (1872-1942) is Australia's great lyric poet and Collected Poems (1934), dedicated to Louise Dyer, bears his imprimatur. Encouraged by his editor, Robert Croll, Neilson was totally involved in its publication and promotion, selecting the poems, rewriting lines, adding new stanzas and restoring A.G. Stephen's earlier changes. Photographic sittings and book signings followed as well as favourable reviews. Neilson modestly attended readings in his honour at the Bookshop of Margareta Webber and enjoyed the concert broadcasts of Margaret Sutherland's compositions which included 'The Orange Tree'. After reading the Collected Poems she wrote to Neilson: "I have set your voice to music."A new introduction by Dr Helen Hewson, an Honorary Associate in the School of Letters, Art and Media at the University of Sydney, explores some of the influences which have shaped Neilson's poetry - his Celtic background, religious upbringing, reading and writing and love of art and music.