Henry Kendall

Henry Kendall (18 April 1839 – 1 August 1882) was an Australian author and bush poet, who was particularly known for his poems and tales set in a natural environment. He appears never to have used his first name — his three volumes of verse were all published under the name of "Henry Kendall".

Kendall was born in Yatte Yattah, New South Wales, to a missionary and linguist father and a mother who was a talented musician. He showed an early aptitude for writing and poetry, and his first poem was published in a local newspaper when he was just 13 years old.

In 1854, Kendall went to sea for two years, but he returned to Australia in 1856 and began working as a shop assistant in Sydney. He continued to write poetry in his spare time, and his first volume of verse, Poems and Songs, was published in 1861.

Kendall's poems were praised for their lyrical beauty and their depiction of the Australian bush. He was particularly known for his poems about the Australian native flora and fauna, such as "The Native Companions" and "The Emu's Nest".

In 1881, Kendall was appointed inspector of state forests at a salary of £500 a year. However, his health was never strong, and he died of consumption in 1882 at the age of 43. He was buried in Waverley Cemetery in Sydney.

Kendall is considered one of the pioneers of Australian literature. He was a gifted poet with a deep love of the Australian bush. His poems are still enjoyed by readers today, and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the development of Australian literature.

Here are some interesting facts about Henry Kendall:

• He was a keen observer of nature and his poems often feature detailed descriptions of Australian flora and fauna.
• He was a talented musician and played the piano and violin.
• He was a friend of many of the leading Australian writers of his day, including Charles Harpur and Henry Lawson.
• He was a staunch supporter of the Australian colonies and his poems often expressed his patriotism.
• He died of consumption at the age of 43.

Henry Kendall is a significant figure in Australian literature. He was a gifted poet who helped to shape the development of Australian poetry. His poems are still enjoyed by readers today and he is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Australian literature.