In October 1887, Henry Lawson’s first poem was published in the Bulletin. In the Christmas issue of the same year, a further two Lawson poems appeared within the covers of the magazine. Although these early poems were all well-received, it was not until the publication of the poem, ‘Faces in the Street’, in the middle of the following year that Lawson really established an enthusiastic following. The poem revealed the weary, destitute faces of Sydney. In Lawson was a poet who could feel and articulate the struggles and needs of the poor. Here was a poet who might persuade the wealthy to positively change the world.

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

A Song of the Republic. Originally published in The Bulletin 1 October 1887.

Golden Gully. Originally published in The Bulletin 24 December 1887.

The Wreck of the ‘Derry Castle’. Originally published in The Bulletin 24 December 1887. Collected in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses (February 1896).

Faces in the Street. Originally published in The Bulletin 28 July 1888. Collected in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses (February 1896).

From Mudgee Hills to London Town. Originally written 1913, but not published until after Lawson’s death. Collected in Colin Roderick (ed.) Henry Lawson: Autobiographical and other writings 1887-1922 (1972).

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.

In this episode we are joined from Norway by a special guest, Kari Mentyjӕrvi. Kari is a Norwegian Lawson scholar who lives near the Tromøy home in which Lawson’s father and paternal grandparents lived. Kari shares with us details about Lawson’s father, Niels Hertzberg Larsen (Peter Lawson), and grandfather, Peder Larsen. She also tells us about the island of Tromøy and the Norwegian Arendal region in which Lawson’s ancestors lived.

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

A Child in the Dark—A Bush Sketch. Originally published in The Bulletin 13 December 1902. Collected in Triangles of Life and Other Stories (October 1913).

The Wander-Light. Originally published in The Bulletin 10 December 1903. Collected in When I Was King and Other Verses (November 1905).

Said Grenfell to my Spirit. Originally written 1911, but not published until after Lawson’s death. Collected in Colin Roderick (ed.) Henry Lawson: Collected Verse, Vol. 3: 1910-1922 (1969).

Kari Mentyjӕrvi’s favourite Lawson works:

Poetry:

Faces in the Street. Originally published in The Bulletin 28 July 1888. Collected in In the Days When the World Was Wide and Other Verses (February 1896).

Second Class ‘Wait Here.’ Originally published in The Elector 1896. Collected in Verses Popular and Humorous (December 1900).

The Heart of the Swag. Originally published in Amateur Gardener 1 February 1906. Collected in The Skyline Riders and Other Verses (October 1910).

Prose:

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

A Christmas in the Far West: or the Bush Undertaker. Originally published in Antipodean December 1892. Collected in Short Stories in Prose and Verse(December 1894).

The three Peter M’Laughlan stories are interconnected through their focus on a Bushman and lay-preacher, who, through personal experience, knows the suffering, misery, and sense of hopelessness felt by the people of the Outback during the late 19th century. Peter M’Laughlan’s plainspoken wisdom and practical support helps ease the hardship of those trying to survive amidst the harsh realities of life in the Bush, which includes the despair and anguish brought on by drought, alcoholism, and personal loss. Through Peter M’Laughlan, the life-and-soul-saving role—the ‘beauty’—of mateship is personified. The stories of Peter M’Laughlan initially appeared in 1902 in England in the book, Children of the Bush, before being republished in Australia in 1907 in The Romance of the Swag.

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

The Christ of the ‘Never’. Originally published in The Bulletin 16 July 1898. Collected in Verses Popular and Humorous (December 1900).

“Shall We Gather at the River.” Originally published in Children of the Bush (July 1902).

His Brother’s Keeper. Originally published in Children of the Bush (July 1902).

The Story of ‘Gentleman Once.’ Originally published in Children of the Bush (July 1902).

There is a pervasive belief that Henry Lawson was born in a tent. Professor Colin Roderick cast doubt over that belief and in this episode we discuss reasons for the doubt. Throughout the early years of Henry Lawson’s life, his family moved around as Lawson’s father continued his search for gold. Eventually, however, the family settled on a selection. Neither the mining pursuits nor the farming venture proved successful and so the family endured considerable difficulties throughout Lawson’s childhood. In addition to discussing life on the failing selection, in this episode we also discuss Lawson’s school experiences and some of his early literacy pursuits.

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

A Neglected History. Originally published in The Republican 4 April 1888.

His Father’s Mate. Originally published in The Bulletin 22 December 1888. Collected in While the Billy Boils(August 1896).

The Old Bark School: An Echo. Originally published in The Bulletin 5 January 1895. Collected in While the Billy Boils (August 1896).

The Old Bark School. Originally published in The Bulletin 22 May 1897. Collected in Verses Popular and Humorous (December 1900).

No Place for a Woman. Originally published in The Australian Star 2 September 1899. Collected in On the Track (April 1900).

The Wander-Light. Originally published in The Bulletin 10 December 1903. Collected in When I Was King and Other Verses (November 1905).

A Fragment of Autobiography [handwritten manuscript]. Not dated, but composed 1903-1906. State Library of New South Wales: Mitchell Library.

Lawson entry in Eurunderee school visitors’ book. Originally written 20 April 1914. New South Wales Government State Records (online), Henry Lawson visits his old school, 1914.

At times, Henry Lawson was incorrigible, an inebriate, and incarcerated for lengthy periods. With these character shortcomings in mind, 100 years after his death, why does Lawson still matter? In this introductory episode, we discuss Lawson’s ongoing value as an authentic voice of Australia. We discuss the impact of his living through important times in history—the Gold rush days, the union movement in Australia, rise of the Australian Labor Party, Federation, and the Boer War years and World War One. As he said, when he lived, “The mighty bush with iron rails [was being] tethered to the world.”

Lawson works referred to in the episode:

A Neglected History. Originally published in The Republican 4 April 1888.

The Roaring Days. Originally published in The Bulletin 21 December 1889. Collected in In the Days When the World Was Wide (February 1896).

In the Days When the World Was Wide. Originally published in The Bulletin 15 December 1894. Collected in In the Days When the World Was Wide (February 1896).