John Shaw Neilson was born at Penola, South Australia, in 1872. His parents, John Neilson and Margaret McKinnon made a meagre living as bush-workers and selectors, moving many times in search of work on surrounding stations. Both Shaw and his father John Neilson published verse in the Bulletin, but the younger man established a relationship with the editor, A. G. Stephens, that encouraged further contributions and supported the publication of several volumes of poetry. Collections of poetry have been edited by James Devaney, Judith Wright, A. R. Chisholm and Cliff Hanna. Neilson is regarded by many as Australia's finest lyrical poet. -- excerpted from AustLit