Acclaimed Australian author David Malouf has died at the age of 92. His passing was announced by publisher Penguin Books Australia.
In a social media post the publisher said Malouf had on Wednesday 22 April.
“We are deeply saddened to share that author and poet David Malouf AO has passed away, aged 92.” the pubishing house said.
“David Malouf wrote across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, libretti and plays, and made a significant and continued impact on Australian literature. David won numerous prizes for his work, including the Miles Franklin Award, Commonwealth Writers’ prize, the Prix Femina Etranger, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and Australia-Asia Literary Award. He was also an admired teacher and lecturer both in Australia and Europe.
“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.
“He died on 22 April 2026. A memorial service will take place later in the year.” they concluded.
Malouf was born in Queensland, after university he became a teacher working at schools in London and Australia. He first found success as a poet, but later oved into other forms of literature.
His first novel Johnno was released in 1974, its is a semi-autographical novel about a young man growing up in Brisbane during the Second World War. By 1977 he had become a full-time writer. His 1993 novel Remembering Babylon was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Across his career Malouf wrote eleven novels, many poetry collections, several Libretti for operas, a [play, and may works of non-fiction, including his 1985 memoir 12 Edmonstone Street.
Malouf was gay but rarely shared any information about his private life.
Hero image: By Samuel Wiki – Own work, CC BY 4.0.
