Thomas Shapcott

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Thomas William Shapcott (born March 21, 1935 in Ipswich , Queensland ) is an Australian writer.

Life

Shapcott grew up with his three brothers in Ipswich. Since he was unable to fulfill his dream job as a journalist due to the family's financial situation, he began to work in his father's company in 1951. In addition to this activity, he wrote his first poetry and studied at the University of Queensland . In 1961 he received a bachelor's degree in accounting and in 1967 a bachelor's degree in arts .

By 1978 he published several volumes of poetry and anthologies, a book about the painter Charles Blackman and some libretti for the composer Colin Brumby . In that year he gave up his previous profession and became a full-time writer. From 1983 to 1990 he was Director of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and from 1991 to 1997 Executive Director of the Australian National Book Council . In 1997 he was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide . There he retired in 2005.

plant

Shapcott takes up universal themes in his autobiographical poems. It deals with human nature and the impermanence of all living things. Shabbytown calendar is an ironic portrait of his hometown.

Works (selection)

  • Time on fire (1961)
  • Shabbytown calendar (1975)
  • Selected poems 1956-76 (1978)
  • The birthday gift (1982)
  • Welcome (1983)
  • White stag of exile (1984)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Laudation for the award of an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland
  2. ↑ a b Entry in the Australian National Library
personal data
SURNAME Shapcott, Thomas
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Shapcott, Thomas William (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Australian writer
DATE OF BIRTH March 21, 1935
PLACE OF BIRTH Ipswich , Queensland