Australian poetry classics: Adam Lindsay Gordon’s The Sick Stockrider captured the nation’s frontier anxiety
Adam Lindsay Gordon was once labelled ‘Poet of Australia’. Though his poetry hasn’t aged well, it still matters for its insights into the colonial mind.
Adam Lindsay Gordon, dubbed the "Poet of Australia," holds a prestigious place in Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey since 1934. His reputation, however, has faced scrutiny due to his British and imperialistic nature. Born in Cheltenham on October 19, 1833, Gordon's prosperous family background provided him with ample opportunities.
Despite an undistinguished school record, he demonstrated prowess in sports, particularly boxing and steeplechase riding. At 21, Gordon embarked on a career as a mounted policeman in South Australia but quickly returned to his roots in horse breaking and racing. His financial situation improved in 1861 when he inherited a £7,000 legacy, enabling him to marry Margaret Park and settle at "Dingley Dell."
However, Gordon struggled with money management and lost his fortune, partly due to his involvement in horse racing. His early literary attempts failed, but his first two books of poetry proved unsuccessful. Moving to Ballarat, Gordon faced further setbacks, including the death of his toddler daughter and injuries from steeplechase riding, which left him depressed and psychologically distressed.
Gordon's third book, Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes, published on June 23, 1870, is considered a significant contribution to Australian poetry.
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