Brenda Walker

Brenda Joanne Walker (1957 – 10 December 2024) was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.

Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.

Walker was killed on 10 December 2024 while crossing Kings Park Road in Perth by a driver speeding at . The driver was moments earlier seen driving at , while the speed limit on Kings Park Road is . The driver was charged with dangerous driving causing death in circumstances of aggravation.

Awards 2011: Nita Kibble Literary Award, winner for "Reading by Moonlight" 2010: Victorian Premier's Awards, Nettie Palmer Prize for Non-Fiction, winner for "Reading by Moonlight" 2010: Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, shortlisted for "Reading by Moonlight" 2007: Asher Award, winner for The Wing of Night 2006: Nita Kibble Literary Award, winner for The Wing of Night 2006: Miles Franklin Award, shortlisted for The Wing of Night 2006: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, Christina Stead Prize, shortlisted for The Wing of Night 2006: Waverley Library Award for Literature, The Alex Buzo Shortlist Prize: winner for The Wing of Night 2000: Victorian Premier's Literary Award, shortlisted for Poe's Cat 2000: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, Christina Stead Prize, Shortlisted for "Poe's Cat" 1990: T.A.G. Hungerford Award for an unpublished manuscript, winner for Crush