A CRITICAL BIOGRAPHY OF EDWIN JAMES BRADY - Mallacoota ...

As in Two Frontiers the author stands in his own light, presenting an interesting
picture of the late 1880’s and 90’s and the early 1900’s as Sydney saw them, but his
work lacks the clarity and precision of a portrait and appreciation of Archibald good
enough to be published and, Brady hoped, made into a film. 1
As far as can be ascertained, the only source he drew upon, apart from his personal
contacts with Archibald and his contemporaries, was the beginnings of Archibald’s
biography in The Lone Hand. 2 Reference is made quite justly to the sacrifices which
the editor and his associates made in getting the Bulletin functioning as a lively, witty
and influential journal. His importance is no longer really questioned. H.M. Green,
T. Inglis Moore and S.E. Lee are three critics who agree with Brady’s assessment. 3 In
providing Australian writers and poets with a means of reaching their fellowcountrymen,
in his sympathy and encouragement, moral and financial support,
Archibald’s contribution was very real. In recognising that The Bulletin served as a
launching platform for many artists, Brady states that “the group which Archibald had
fostered worked on in their appointed spheres of expression for the creation of a
national sentiment, and the development of a national culture”, 4 recounting some of
those who went on from initial Bulletin publication to the production of their own
books. Nor is it extravagant to claim that in this process Archibald played his part in
the creation of some of the nation’s folk-lore and national figures – Jack Dunn of
Nevertire, Clancy of the Overflow, Bannerman and the Man from
Snowy River. And it is probably true, as Brady avers, that the range and variety of
expression which Archibald encouraged, in regard to the subject matter used, to the
people who contributed, and to their treatment, is not yet fully appreciated. The
famous column giving advice to those who first tentatively sent in their contributions,
gave encouragement and assistance where it would do good, as well as entertaining
readers. The circulation and reception of the journal no doubt warranted Brady’s
statement:
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These singers and rhymers, and scores of other natural musicians, Archibald
directed with his editorial baton: a maestro who knew how the great
symphony of Australia should be presented. The sound of it, the sweet musical
sound of it, set the hearts of the people dancing. They listened and approved a
music which at last expressed the spirit of their native land. 5
In the biography Archibald’s background is presented, but not with any great insight –
his early apprenticeship on the Warrnambool Examiner, his progress to the Melbourne
Herald and Daily Telegraph, to the Evening News in Sydney and his partnership with
John Haynes which led to the formation of The Bulletin – all viewed from the point of
the difficulties which faced an innovator at that time. All this has been written up
elsewhere – in Archibald’s “The Genesis of The Bulletin 6 and in various articles from
time to time in the magazine itself by those who had participated in its development. 7
There is little new factual material here, but there are added personal sidelights up
Archibald and his associates which help to build up a picture of the man.
1
Brady to Johnson, 12.2.1944, in Mitchell Library.
2
July, 1907
3 H.M. Green, A History of Australian Literature (Sydney, 1961).
T Inglis Moore, “A.G. Stephens as Critic”, Prometheus (1959)
S.E. Lee, “The Bulletin – J.F. Archibald and A.G. Stephens.” In G. Dutton (ed.), The Literature of
Australia (Adelaide, 1964).
4
P. 155
5
P. 65.
6
The Lone Hand, July 1907.
7
For example, H. Fletcher, “J.F. Archibald”, The Bulletin, 13.4.1922