12 Facts About Ion Idriess

Ion Llewellyn Idriess was a prolific and influential Australian author.

Ion Idriess was born in Waverley, a suburb of Sydney, to Juliette Windeyer and Walter Owen Ion Idriess.

At birth Ion Idriess's name was registered as "Ion Windeyer", although he never seems to have used this name.

Ion Idriess travelled extensively around the state, working in a variety of itinerant jobs including employment as a rabbit poisoner, boundary rider, drover, prospecting for gold as well as harvesting sandalwood.

Ion Idriess later headed north, working in several tin mines around Cairns and Cooktown including his own claim.

In 1928 Ion Idriess settled in Sydney where he wrote as a freelance writer.

Ion Idriess's writing style drew on his experiences as a soldier, prospector, and bushman.

Ion Idriess wrote on a multitude of topics, including travel, recollection, biography, history, anthropology and his own ideas on possible future events.

Ion Idriess's books were generally non-fiction, but written in a narrative, story style.

Ion Idriess died at a nursing home in Mona Vale in Sydney on 6 June 1979, at the age of 89.

Ion Idriess's work slipped from favour after his death, but has experienced a renewal of interest.

Ion Idriess's work was never adapted for the screen although several books were optioned by producers.