‘Kind, generous, wonderful man’: Acclaimed Australian writer David Malouf dies aged 92

The highly-acclaimed Australian writer David Malouf has died aged 92.

The Brisbane-born Malouf – who authored Ransom, The Great World, Remembering Babylon and 12 Edmondstone Street, among numerous other titles – died on Wednesday night, publisher Penguin Random House Australia confirmed.

Born in 1934, he was brought up in Brisbane and collected numerous awards over his decades of writing – including the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2000.

His first novel published in 1975 was a semi-autobiographical book titled Johnno that went onto become a bestseller for the University of Queensland Press.

The book was first published in 1975, and centred around two schoolmates in subtropical Brisbane during the 1940s and 50s.

The author, poet and essayist was a highly acclaimed writer who published dozens of books earning him a Miles Franklin Award, Commonwealth Writers’ prize, the Prix Femina Etranger, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and Australia-Asia Literary Award.

His award-winning work included An Imaginary Life, Fly Away Peter and Every Move You Make.

He even penned two librettos for operas including an adaptation of Patrick White’s book Voss and Baa Baa Black Sheep.

Malouf received other honours including an Order of Australia and an Honorary Fellowship of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

In 2008, he became a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Penguin Random House Australia said in a statement Malouf was also an admired teacher and lecturer in Australia and Europe.

“David’s work captures the Australian experience and continues to resonate across generations,” a spokesman said.

“Alongside his achievements as a writer, David was a loyal, loving friend to many and devoted to his family.

“He was a passionate supporter of Opera Australia, Adelaide Writers Week and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.”

His Australian agent Jane Novak said Malouf was a giant in the literary world.

“His contribution to Australian culture is immeasurable but I will miss the kind, generous, wonderful man behind the masterpieces,” she said.

University Queensland Press poetry publisher Madonna Duffy said they enjoyed a continuous and rewarding relationship with Malouf since they published his first volume of poetry in 1970.

“He was writing poetry and productive to the very end of his life. I personally published his poetry for the past 20 years and will feel his loss greatly,” she said.

Writer Nicholas Jose said Malouf was a good friend to so many writers over many years.

“David believed in readers. From his enduring evocation of his Brisbane youth in Johnno to his re-imagining of the classical world in An Imaginary Life and Ransom, his writing created new possibilities for Australian literature,” he said.

“He is a brilliant essayist, an astute and generous critic, and a poet first and last.

“He has always been a great advocate for literature and for the power of imagination to change lives. His life and work have changed our lives. His work will go on doing that.”

A memorial service for Malouf will take place later in the year.