Thomas Shapcott

Thomas William Shapcott ( born March 21, 1935 in Ipswich, Queensland) is an Australian writer.

Life

Shapcott grew up with his three brothers in Ipswich. Since he could not fulfill his career aspirations as a journalist because of the financial circumstances of the family, he began working in 1951 in the company of his father. In addition to that, he wrote his first poems and studied at the University of Queensland. In 1961, he received a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1967 and an undergraduate degree in arts.

Until 1978, he published several books of poetry and anthologies, a book about the painter Charles Blackman and some librettos for the composer Colin Brumby. This year he gave up his previous job and was full-time writer. From 1983 to 1990 he was Director of the Literature Board of the Australia Council and 1991-1997 Executive Director of the Australian National Book Council. In 1997 he was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide. There he became Professor Emeritus in 2005.

Work

In his autobiographical poems Shapcott takes on universal themes. It deals with the human nature and the impermanence of all living things. Shabbytown calendar is an ironic portrait of his hometown.

Works (selection)

• Time on Fire (1961 )
• Shabbytown calendar ( 1975)
• Selected poems 1956-76 (1978 )
• The birthday gift (1982 )
• Welcome ( 1983)
• White stag of exile (1984 )