Francis MacNamara was born in 1811 in Cashel, Ireland. He was transported to Botany Bay in 1832, then to Van Diemen's Land arriving 29 October 1842, by which time he was widely known as
Frank the Poet.
The definitive collection and study of the man and his works is
Frank the Poet published in 1979 by Hugh Anderson and written by John Meredith and Rex Whalan, the result of many years of research.
From the Foreword
'Frank' was indeed an Irish convict, though probably a Protestant, not a Catholic; and he personally underwent many of the experiences, including repeated floggings, which are reflected in his verses.
As time goes on interest in Australia's beginnings, and in contemporary views of them, can only increase. Frank's life and verse will be of even more concern to Australians a hundred or a thousand years hence, than they are now. The authors of this book have earned the gratitude of posterity.
RUSSEL WARD.
University of New England.
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| The Life and Works of Francis MacNamara Red Rooster Press 1979 |
His songs and poems are alive today while his life and work has been written about, discussed and referred to by poets, folklorists, and scholars including Hugh Anderson, Philip Butterss, James Boyce, Jeff Brownrigg, Colleen Burke, Rowan Cahill, Julian Croft, Joe Culley, John Dengate, Eric Fry, Robert Gray, Miguel Heatwole, Bob Hodge, Geoffrey Inglis, Terry Irving, Denis Kevans, John Kinsella, Keith McKenry, Geoffrey Lehmann, David Levell, Perry Middlemiss, Vijay Mishra, Tony Moore, Les Murray, Geoff Page, Marjory Pizer, Bob Reece, Graham Seal, Margaret Walters, Bill Wannan, Russel Ward, Vincent Wood, Elizabeth Webby and undoubtedly many more.
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| Mudgee Hotel c1900 |
Frank the Poet died at Pipe Clay Creek near Mudgee NSW on 29 August 1861
2011 is both the bicentenary of his birth and the 150th anniversary of his death. While only one of his poems was published in his lifetime, a dozen more were remembered and collected in oral tradition up to 100 years after his death.
2011 was a perfect year to formally commemorate this extraordinary poet and songwriter whose 'licentious pen' marks him forever the 'tyrants foe'. See
events on this website.
