13 Facts About Xavier Herbert

Xavier Herbert was considered one of the elder statesmen of Australian literature.

Xavier Herbert is known for short story collections and his autobiography Disturbing Element.

Xavier Herbert was registered at birth as Alfred Jackson, son of John Jackson, auctioneer, with whom his mother had already had two children.

Xavier Herbert studied pharmacy at Perth Technical College and was registered as a pharmacist on 21 May 1923 as Alfred Xavier Herbert.

Xavier Herbert moved to Melbourne, and in 1935 enrolled at the University of Melbourne to study medicine.

Xavier Herbert started his writing career writing short stories for the popular magazine and newspaper market, publishing under a range of pseudonyms, the most common being Herbert Astor.

Xavier Herbert did not publish his first book, Capricornia, until 1938.

Xavier Herbert was well known for his outspoken views on indigenous issues.

Xavier Herbert was a great champion of Aboriginal peoples, particularly those living in missions in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In 1977 the artist Ray Crooke painted a Portrait of Xavier Herbert followed in 1980 by a Portrait of Sadie Herbert.

In June 1984, Xavier Herbert refused to accept an award of the Order of Australia from the Hawke government, on the grounds that it was a British Empire honour rather than a nationalist Australian one.

Xavier Herbert was commemorated by the Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, as "a prodigiously committed Australian".

Xavier Herbert was buried in Alice Springs, together with his wife's ashes, in a ceremony officiated by Aboriginal activist Pat Dodson in recognition of Herbert's long support for the rights of Aboriginal Australians.