Harpur, Charles (1813-1868), was one of the first Australian poets to portray Australian life and landscape realistically. He adapted English poetic diction to Australian needs. Harpur was not completely successful, but he influenced later poets such as Henry Kendall. His works include Thoughts: A Series of Sonnets (1845), The Bushrangers: A Play in Five Acts (1853), A Poet’s Home (1862), and The Tower of the Dream (1865).
Harpur was born on Jan. 23, 1813, in Windsor, New South Wales. Both his parents were convicts sent from England. However, he had a good education. He worked as a postal clerk in Sydney before going to live with his brother on a farm in 1842. Harpur died on June 10, 1868.
