Ethel Turner (1870-1958)
A BOAT on the sea, my boat,
Eager and frail!
Sweet skies, smile as you look
On that fairy sail.
Waves, great waves, many years
You have worked your will.
Just while she passes through,
Kind waves, be still.
Winds—and I may not ask
That you never blow,
But spare her the moaning note
That the old boats know.
Her early life
- Born in Yorkshire, England
- Lost her father (sales rep) & her first step-father
(factorymanager) young
- Emigrated to Australia with her new family in 1879 (1
sister and 1 half-sister)
- Attended Sydney Girls High School
Her early writing
-
Ran her own school magazine, the Iris, with her sister.
Left school in 1889
Founded and co-edited the Parthenon ( a monthly magazine)
with her sister
Contributed the ‘Children’s page’ in the Australian Town and
Country Journal from 1893
Seven Little Australians
- Published in London in 1894
- Instant best-seller
- Became a children’s writer
Her later life
-
Married a barrister, Herbert Curlewis.
1 son & 1 daughter
Travelled abroad before WWI
Active in WWI as a morale booster
Published 40 books
Over to you!