Henry Kendall
Henry Kendall was an Australian poet born in Kirmington, New South Wales, in 1841. The son of a missionary, he had limited formal education but began his career in a law office in 1860. By 1862, Kendall had started writing poetry, successfully publishing his first collection, "Poems and Songs." Throughout his life, he balanced his literary pursuits with various jobs, including a law clerkship in Sydney and later as an inspector of forests. In 1869, he published a notable collection titled "Leaves from Australian Forests."
Kendall faced significant personal challenges, including the tragic loss of his daughter, Araluen, which led to struggles with alcoholism. After undergoing treatment, he managed to revive his career, publishing "Songs from the Mountains" in 1880, which garnered him modest recognition. He married around 1868 and moved to Melbourne, but his life was marked by periods of hardship. Kendall passed away in Sydney in 1882, leaving behind a legacy as an important figure in Australian literature.
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Henry Kendall
Poet
- Born: April 18, 1839
- Birthplace: Kirmington, New South Wales, Australia
- Died: August 1, 1882
- Place of death: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Biography
Henry Kendall was born in Kirmington, New South Wales, Australia, in 1841, the son of a missionary. Kendall did not receive much education as a child, and in 1860, he accepted a position at a law office. By 1862, he was writing poetry, sending his verses to London to be published. His first collection of poetry, Poems and Songs, was published in 1862.
He eventually obtained a law clerkship in Sydney while continuing to write poetry and dabbling in journalism. Around 1968, Kendall was married and moved to Melbourne, Australia. Another collection of poetry, Leaves from Australian Forests, was published in 1869.
That year, Kendall resigned his clerkship and briefly went into business with his brothers. These years of Kendall’s life were rather difficult. The death of his daughter, Araluen, struck Kendall particularly hard and he took to extremely heavy drinking. After receiving treatment for his alcoholism in Sydney, Kendall was finally able to return to life. In 1880, another collection of his poems, Songs from the Mountains, was published, earning Kendall modest popularity. Later in his life, Kendall briefly worked as an inspector of forests. He died in Sydney in 1882.