Vincent Buckley
Vincent Buckley was an influential Australian poet and academic of Irish descent, known for his significant contributions to contemporary Australian poetry during the latter half of the twentieth century. He received a Jesuit education and served in the Australian Royal Air Force during World War II, later studying at the University of Melbourne and Cambridge. Buckley's academic career included a professorship at the University of Melbourne, where he also served as a poetry editor, shaping the poetic landscape of the time. His most renowned work, "Golden Builders," was published in 1976. In the 1980s, he deepened his connection to his Irish roots by spending time in Ireland, which informed much of his later work. Buckley was active in political discourse, addressing key issues in Australia and civil rights in Ireland, and his memoir, "Cutting Green Hay," reflects on the political changes of post-war Australia. He received multiple literary awards, including the Dublin Prize and the Christopher Brennan Award, and the Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize was established to promote poetic exchange between Ireland and Australia. His collected works are preserved at the University of New South Wales.
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Vincent Buckley
Writer
- Born: July 8, 1925
- Birthplace: Romsey, Victoria, Australia
- Died: 1988
Biography
Of Irish descent, Vincent Buckley was born in Australia and received a Jesuit education at St. Patrick’s College before serving in the Australian Royal Air Force during World War II. He studied at the University of Melbourne and at Cambridge. From his professor’s chair at the University of Melbourne and as a poetry editor, Buckley wielded considerable influence in contemporary Australian poetry during much of the second half of the twentieth century. He wrote or edited more than a dozen volumes of and about poetry; his most popular was Golden Builders, published in 1976. In the 1980’s, Buckley satisfied his long-held interest in all things Irish by spending considerable time in his ancestral homeland. He received numerous awards during his career, including the Dublin Prize for outstanding contributions to literature and the Christopher Brennan Award from Australian writers. Always active in political discourse, Buckley weighed in on the critical issues of Australia’s Great Decades, as well as on civil rights in Ireland. His memoir, Cutting Green Hay, focused on the political shifts of the post-war period in Australia. The Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize facilitates poetic exchanges between Ireland and Australia. His collected papers and manuscripts are maintained at the University of New South Wales.