In 1895, Henry Lawson’s mother wrote, “Someday, I hope to be strong enough to look the public in the face as Louisa Lawson, and not as the mother of a man.” Louisa Lawson was a remarkable woman who was, indeed, much more than just the mother of Henry Lawson. Louisa was a leading figure in the women’s suffrage movement in New South Wales. She was an editor who established and ran the Dawn women’s magazine from 1888 until it ceased publication in 1905. She was an accomplished poet and highly intelligent person. Louisa Lawson was truly remarkable. Rather than thinking of her as merely the mother of a man, it might alternatively be said of Henry Lawson that he was the son of Louisa.

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

The Drover’s Wife. Originally published in The Bulletin 23 July 1892. Collected in Short Stories in Prose and Verse (December 1894).

Drought-Stricken. Originally published in The Daily Telegraph 28 February 1903.

To the Memory of Louisa Albury. Originally published in The Bulletin 28 October 1920.