Alt tag
In 1944, the Australian literary magazine Angry Penguins discovered an unknown "great poet." And then it all went wrong.

Literature Matters: The Greatest Australian Poet Who Never Was

A public talk by Department of English faculty member Peter Robinson

Event

Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Grace-Westminster United Church Social Hall, 505-10th St. E., Saskatoon

Free and open to the public

About this event

In 1944, the Australian literary magazine Angry Penguins published a special number “to Commemorate the Australian Poet Ern Malley.” Inside, readers found 17 poems by a completely unknown poet, Ernest (“Ern”) Lalor Malley, and an introduction by the editor of Angry Penguins, Max Harris. Harris's introduction tells the brief story of Ern’s unhappy life: he worked as a garage mechanic and insurance salesman and died of Graves disease aged just 25, his poetry unknown. Yet Harris declared him a “great poet,” “one of the most outstanding poets we have produced here.” What a story! Australia’s own John Keats! And then it all went wrong.

Literature Matters: Literature in the Community is a free public lecture series sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan Department of English.

Info: 306-966-1268 | english.department@usask.ca


Upcoming Events

Philosophy in the Community: How Does Propaganda Work?

Jan 9, 2026
A public talk by Pierre-Francois Noppen (PhD), professor of philosophy

Book Launch: Winds of the North

Jan 9, 2026
Winds of the North: A Survey of the Canadian Wind Band Tradition and Repertoire is compiled and edited by Dr. Darrin Oehlerking (DMA)

Major Possibilities 2026

Jan 9, 2026
Your chance to find your perfect major and learn where Arts and Science programs can take you

 

See all events