BIOGRAPHY
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ANDREW BARTON BANJO PATERSON
Andrew Bogle Paterson and his wife Rose were both from pioneering stock Andrew a grazier owned and ran the property known as Illalong in New South Wales where he and his wife Rose raised seven children, two boys and five girls.
The first child Andrew Barton Paterson, born at his aunt's house in the small town, Narrambia in New South Wales near the town of Orange on the 17 Th February, 1864.
The most formative years of Andrews life were spent on the family property Illalong, but at the tender age of ten his parent's decided to send him to live with his grandmother in Sydney, to further his education, Andrew attended the renowned Sydney Grammar School. During the school holidays Andrew always looked forward to spending the holidays at his families property.
Once his formal education was completed Andrew then decided to pursue a legal career and on the 28 Th August 1886 he was accepted as a practicing solicitor.
Andrew's interests were many and varied, not only was he a scholar and a gentleman he was also an avid writer and a keen sportsman. especially in the field of horses, riding with the Sydney Hunt Club. and attending as may race meetings as he could.
In 1885 Paterson submitted his first poem to the Bulletin, by 1899 he was a regular contributor under the pseudonym of banjo. In 1895 he published his first book "The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses". Which had much success.
With the outbreak of the Boar War in 1899 Paterson was sent to South Africa as a special correspondent, for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Argus newspapers.
In 1901 Paterson travelled to China and England and by 1902 decided to give up his legal practice and devote all his energies to becoming a full time journalist.
In 1903 Paterson Married Alice Emily Walker. The couple had 2 children, Grace and Hugh. As Paterson was now the editor of the evening news they decided to live in Sydney.
By 1908 Paterson found the editorial job too taxing and returned to the country. Unfortunately his farming ventures were financial failures.
In 1914 Paterson went to Europe to help with the war effort and later served in the middle east, where he rose to the rank of Major.
On his return to Australia Paterson wrote for several newspapers especially those papers related to horses and sports.
At the age of 66 Paterson retired from active journalism, which gave him more time for creative writing. He spent the next 10 years writing his memoirs, a novel and a collection of verses for children.
Shortly before his 77 Th birthday, he died of a heart condition on the 5 of February 1941.
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