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Martin Johnston

1947 – 1990

Australian poet and novelist

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About Martin Johnston

Lived 1947 – 1990 (aged 42). Martin Johnston was an Australian novelist, poet and writer.

Martin Johnston (12 November 1947 – 21 June 1990) was an Australian poet and novelist.

Biography Martin Johnston was born in Sydney on 12 November 1947, son of the writers George Johnston and Charmian Clift. His early childhood was spent in London and Sydney. In 1954 the family moved to Greece. They returned to England in 1960 and Australia in 1964.

He was educated at North Sydney Boys High School and Sydney University.

In the mid-to-late 1970s he lived and travelled with Australian writer, Nadia Wheatley. They lived and wrote in Greece from 1975 to 1977, and travelled through Europe before returning to Australia in 1978.

In October 1982 he married Roseanne Bonney, and they lived in Darlinghurst, Sydney.

Works shadowmass. (Sydney University Arts Society, 1971) [poems] Ithaka: Modern Greek Poetry in Translation. (Island Press, 1973) [poems] The Sea-Cucumber. (University of Queensland Press, 1978) [poems]

Cicada Gambit. (Hale & Iremonger, 1983) [novel]

The Typewriter Considered as a Bee-Trap. (Hale & Iremonger, 1985) [poems]

Martin Johnston: Selected Poems and Prose. (UQP, 1993) Beautiful Objects: Selected Poems. (Ligature, 2020)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
North Sydney Boys High School

People in Martin Johnston's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Martin Johnston's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Martin Johnston?

Australian poet and novelist (1947-1990)

When was Martin Johnston born?

Martin Johnston was born on 12 November 1947 in Sydney.

When did Martin Johnston die?

Martin Johnston died on 21 June 1990 in Sydney.

What was Martin Johnston's occupation?

Martin Johnston was a novelist, poet and writer.

What nationality was Martin Johnston?

Martin Johnston was Australian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Martin Johnston

· Wikidata: Q6775827

· DBpedia: Martin Johnston

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Martin Johnston. https://biography.guide/martin-johnston/

MLA: "Martin Johnston." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/martin-johnston/.

Chicago: "Martin Johnston." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/martin-johnston/.

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