James Charlton moved to Tasmania with his family in January 1957. He studied at the University of Tasmania (BA 1975), Flinders University (BSocAdmin 1977) and Cambridge University (BA 1980, MA 1984). His first poem, 'Convict Brick' published in 1982, was co-winner of the Twelvetrees/Togatus Poetry Competition. Since then he has published widely in anthologies, literary journals and newspapers. His first collection of poetry, Luminous Bodies, was published in 2002 and a second book of poems, So Much Light, is forthcoming from Pardalote Press.
Bruce Dawe describes Charlton's poetry as 'both visionary and anchored in the dailiness of life', and the poet as a writer who 'networks the finite and the infinite, enhancing our understanding and respect for both'. Judith Beveridge has written that 'Charlton's voice is both finely-tuned and resolute, and he is a most necessary poet for our times'.
Charlton has presented readings at literary festivals in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and in 2004 was a guest reader at various venures in North America. He has been poetry editor of Island and Australasia's advisory editor for Chautauqua Literary Journal (New York State).
Charlton lives at Blackmans Bay, south of Hobart. He has researched the nature of non-dual spiritual experience at the University of Tasmania's School of Philosophy.
