17 February 1864: AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson is born

Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson, one of Australia’s most celebrated poets, was born on 17 February 1864, in Narrambla, New South Wales, Australia. He was the eldest of seven children in a prosperous grazier family. His parents, Andrew Bogle Paterson and Rose Isabella Barton, instilled in him a love for the Australian bush and its unique way of life.

Paterson’s early education took place at home under a governess and then at the bush school in Binalong, the nearest township. He showed an early aptitude for writing poetry and engaging in storytelling. In 1874, he attended the prestigious Sydney Grammar School, where he continued to develop his literary talents and participated in various extracurricular activities, including the school’s debating and drama societies. He lived with his grandmother in Gladesville and spent the school holidays at Illalong station with his family.

After completing his education, Paterson worked as a law clerk with a Sydney-based firm and was admitted as a solicitor in 1886. In the years he practised as a solicitor, he also started writing and from 1885, began submitting and having poetry published in The Bulletin. Paterson remained deeply connected to his rural roots and often found inspiration for his poetry in the Australian outback.

Banjo Paterson gained widespread recognition with the publication of his poem Waltzing Matilda in 1895. Set against the backdrop of rural Australia, Waltzing Matilda tells the story of a swagman and captures the essence of Australia’s culture and ethos. Over the years, the original wording changed slightly, and with music arranged by Marie Cowan and published in 1903, Waltzing Matilda has become Australia’s “unofficial national anthem“.

In addition to Waltzing Matilda, Paterson wrote many other poems and ballads that celebrated the spirit of the Australian bush and its people. His works, characterized by a keen sense of humour and a genuine love for the land, resonated with a broad audience. Some of his other notable works include The Man from Snowy River and Clancy of the Overflow.

As one of Australia’s most popular writers, he formed friendships with other significant writers in Australian literature, such as E.J. Brady, Harry “Breaker” Morant, Will H. Ogilvie, and Henry Lawson. In particular, Paterson became engaged in a friendly rivalry of verse with Lawson about the allure of bush life.

Apart from his literary contributions, Paterson was also a journalist. He worked for various newspapers, including The Sydney Morning Herald, and his journalistic career allowed him to travel extensively, gaining further insights into the diverse landscapes and characters that would later feature in his poetry. He died of a heart attack in Sydney on 5 February 1941 aged 76, leaving a wife and two children.