Furphy, Joseph (1843-1912), was one of the most original novelists in Australia at a time when strongly nationalistic themes were prevalent in literature. Furphy’s fiction reflects a strong feeling for Australian life, combined with the author’s highly personal philosophy and literary theories.
Under the name of Tom Collins or Warrigal Jack, he contributed anecdotes to the weekly magazine The Bulletin. Tom Collins is the narrator of Furphy’s most famous book, Such Is Life, published in 1903. The book shows Furphy’s varied experiences as a farmer, gold miner, and cattle driver, and his interest in socialism. Portions of the original manuscript of Such Is Life were edited into two other well-known novels—Rigby’s Romance (serialized in 1905 and published in book form in 1926) and The Buln-Buln and the Brolga (published in 1948, after Furphy’s death). His Poems was published in 1916, after his death. Furphy was born on Sept. 26, 1843, in Yarra Glen, Victoria, Australia. He died on Sept. 13, 1912.
