Eric Irvin left school at the age of 15. After working in a succession of casual jobs, he became a journalist. He served with the AIF in the Middle East and Borneo during World War II. In the 1950s he became chief sub-editor of a country newspaper, and from 1962-1973 he was a sub-editor with the Sydney Morning Herald. He retired in 1973 and died in 1993.
Irvin published widely in academic journals on the subject of nineteenth and twentieth century Australian theatre, edited plays and wrote a biography of the actor George Darrell. His Dictionary of the Australian Theatre 1788-1914 has become an essential reference work and a basis for further work in cultural history. Irvin also wrote two books of poetry and works of local history.
The University of Queensland presented him with an honorary Doctor of Letters for his contirubtion to theatrical writing.
