A. B. Paterson (Andrew Barton Paterson), commonly known as ‘Banjo’ Paterson Biography

Australian writer, born on a bush station in New South Wales; he trained as a solicitor. The author of ‘Waltzing Matilda’, he grew up in the bush and had first-hand acquaintance with drovers, teamsters, shearers, horsemen, and other outback figures which he vividly portrayed in his ballads and stories. The publication of The Man from Snowy River (1895) brought him instant fame with its dynamic rhythms and its celebration of such legendary characters as ‘Clancy of the Overflow’ and ‘Saltbush Bill’. His collection of Old Bush Songs (1905) is a seminal book in Australian balladry. He also wrote An Outback Marriage (1906) and The Shearer's Colt (1936), both novels; Three Elephant Power (1917), short stories; and Happy Dispatches (1934), autobiographical reminiscences. His Collected Verse appeared in 1923, and his Complete Works in 1983. A Vision Splendid (1990) presents all the verse of ‘Australia's national poet’ in one volume.