Les Murray dead: Australian poet dies aged 80

Les Murray, one of Australia’s most prolific and celebrated poets, has died at the age of 80.

Les Murray, an Australian literary giant, has died at the age of 80.

Murray, one of the nation’s most celebrated poets, published nearly 30 volumes of poetry throughout his lifetime as well as two verse novels.

He grew up in poverty on his grandparents’ farm in Bunyah, NSW and moved back with his own family in 1985.

Les Murray, affectionately known as The Bard of Bunyah, was Australia’s most celebrated poet. Picture: The Australian

Recurrent themes in his work were the history and landscape of Australia, white settlers, indigenous life, family, and the rural landscape.

Murray, affectionately known as The Bard of Bunyah, was the author of many volumes of poetry, including his first book The Ilex Tree, his verse novel Fredy Neptune, and Waiting for the Past.

He was sometimes mentioned as a future Nobel Prize for Literature winner, The Australian reports.

Poet Les Murray at his northern NSW home after winning the T.S Eliot Prize for outstanding poetry in 1997. Picture: Chris Pavlich

In addition to his many volumes of poetry, Murray was also called upon to write items of an upfront political nature, including the pledge for new citizens.

Murray later disavowed the new citizens’ pledge, saying his wording had been rejigged by bureaucrats.

We have lost a giant of literature. A beautiful, humble, funny, courageous, generous and gentle titan of Australian letters. #lesmurray’s words were a gift to us all. If only he’d won the Nobel - the last accolade due to him. Vale my dear, dear friend

— Nikki Gemmell (@NikkiGemmell) April 29, 2019

This poem by Les Murray has stuck with me for years, particularly this line. "People can't say goodbye any more. They say last hellos'. So much so we used the sentiment in my own mother's eulogy. https://t.co/QP1BA1jGSS #LesMurray

— Greg Barila (@GregBarila) April 29, 2019

Sad to hear of Les Murray's passing.

His poem 'An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow' is one of my favourite pieces of writing.

He was a gift. pic.twitter.com/WG543ll7EI

— Ben Abraham (@benabrahammusic) April 29, 2019

Can’t walk through Martin Place without thinking of An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow by #LesMurray https://t.co/yPAXQlSC0T

— Michael Kellahan (@michaelkellahan) April 29, 2019

RIP Les Murray. I'm not sure anyone has written as effortlessly or as elegantly.

— Shaun Crowe (@shauncrowe) April 29, 2019

"Back when God made me, I had no script. It was better.
For all the death, we also die unrehearsed."

Les Murray, 1938-2019

Terribly sad to hear of Murray's passing. A towering genius in every sense. Vale. #auslit #poetry https://t.co/fUJmwR54lB

— Sarah Holland-Batt (@the_shb) April 29, 2019

Former prime minister John Howard also enlisted Murray’s help in drafting a proposed preamble to the Constitution in the late 1990s, but it proved controversial and was sunk in the 1999 republican referendum.

Among many other honours, Murray was awarded the T.S Eliot Prize and the Queen’s Gold Medal for his work.

More to come