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Gig Ryan

b. 1956

Australian poet

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About Gig Ryan

Born 1956. Gig Ryan is an Australian poet, literary critic, writer, singer-songwriter and guitarist.

Gig Ryan, born Elizabeth Anne Martina Ryan, is an Australian poet. She is a recipient of the Christopher Brennan Award.

Early life Ryan was born in Leicester, England in 1956. This was when her father, Australian surgeon Peter John Ryan, had taken the family to England to gain his surgical qualifications (FRCS). After they returned in 1957, Ryan grew up in Melbourne, and was educated in the Catholic school system.

In 1993, Ryan earned a B.A. in Latin and Ancient Greek,

Career At seventeen, Ryan won the Victorian 1974 Maryborough Prize, and published her first poems. Ryan lived in Sydney 1978–1990. Before moving to Sydney, she had co-founded Melbourne women writers' magazine Luna in 1974, which she co-edited and reviewed for until '78. Ryan later became poetry editor of The Age newspaper (1998–2016). selecting a weekly poem, and regularly reviewing contemporary poetry. 1999 Victorian Premier's Prize for Poetry, winner for Pure and Applied 2002 Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry, shortlisted for Heroic Money 2012 ALS Gold Medal, shortlisted for New and Selected Poems 2012 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Poetry, shortlisted for New and Selected Poems 2015 Christopher Brennan Award

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
La Trobe University, University of Melbourne
Awards
Anne Elder Award; Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry; C. J. Dennis Prize for Poetry; Christopher Brennan Award

People in Gig Ryan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gig Ryan's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Gig Ryan?

Australian poet

When was Gig Ryan born?

Gig Ryan was born on 5 November 1956 in Leicester.

What is Gig Ryan's occupation?

Gig Ryan is a poet, literary critic, writer, singer-songwriter and guitarist.

What nationality is Gig Ryan?

Gig Ryan is Australian.

Sources & further reading

Β· Wikipedia: Gig Ryan

Β· Wikidata: Q5560139

Β· DBpedia: Gig Ryan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gig Ryan. https://biography.guide/gig-ryan/

MLA: "Gig Ryan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gig-ryan/.

Chicago: "Gig Ryan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gig-ryan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.

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