ADAM LINDSAY GORDON BIOGRAPHY

GORDON, ADAM LINDSAY (1833-1870). —Poet, was born in the Azores, the s. of an officer in the army. He went to Australia, where he had a varied career in connection with horses and riding, for which he had a passion. He betook himself to the Bush, got into financial trouble, and d. by his own hand. In the main he derives his inspiration (as in the Rhyme of Joyous Garde , and Britomarte ) from mediæval and English sources, not from his Australian surroundings. Among his books are Sea-spray and Smoke-drift (1867), Bush Ballads (containing The Sick Stock-rider ) (1870), Ashtaroth (1867). In many of his poems, e.g. An Exile's Farewell , and Whispering in the Wattle Boughs , there is a strong vein of sadness and pathos.