Everything about Marcus Clarke totally explained
» This article is about the novelist Marcus Clarke. For the puppeteer of the same name, see Marcus Clarke (puppeteer). For the WW2 Doctor of the same name, see Marcus Clarke (Doctor)For the department store, see Marcus Clark & Co.
Marcus Andrew Hislop Clarke (
24 April 1846—
2 August 1881) was an
Australian
novelist and
poet, best known for his novel
For the Term of his Natural Life.
Biography
Marcus Clarke was born in
London on 24 April 1846 and was educated at
Highgate School. He was the only son of William Hislop Clarke. He emigrated to Australia, where his uncle, James Langton Clarke, was a county court judge. He was at first a clerk in the Bank of Australasia, but showed no business ability, and soon proceeded to learn farming at a station on the Wimmera river,
Victoria.
He was already writing stories for the
Australian Magazine, when in 1867 he joined the staff of the
Melbourne Argus through the introduction of
Dr. Robert Lewins. He also became secretary (1872) to the trustees of the Melbourne Public Library and later (1876) Sub (assistant) Librarian. He founded in 1868 the Yorick Club, which soon numbered among its members the chief Australian
men of letters. The most famous of his books is
For the Term of his Natural Life (Melbourne, 1874), a powerful tale of an Australian
penal settlement, which originally appeared in serial form in a
Melbourne paper. He also wrote
The Peripatetic Philosopher (1869), a series of amusing papers reprinted from
The Australasian;
Long Odds (London, 1870), a novel; and numerous comedies and pantomimes, the best of, which was
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Theatre Royal, Melbourne; Christmas, 1873). In 1869 he married an actress, Marian Dunn.
For the Term of his Natural Life is a "ripping yarn", which at times relies on unrealistic coincidences. The story follows the fortunes of Rufus Dawes, a young man transported for a murder which he didn't commit. The harsh and inhumane treatment meted out to the convicts, some of whom were transported for relatively minor crimes, is clearly conveyed. The conditions experienced by the convicts are graphically described. The novel was based on research by the author as well as a visit to the penal settlement of
Port Arthur.
Clarke was an important literary figure in Australia, and was the centre of an important bohemian circle. Among the writers were in contact with him were
Victor Daley and
George Gordon McCrae.
In spite of his popular success Clarke was constantly involved in pecuniary difficulties, which are said to have hastened his death at Melbourne on 2 August 1881.
Commemorations
Clarke's contribution to Australian literature and heritage is recognised in several places, including a main street in Canberra City that bears his name.
Further Information
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