Colin Wilson was born into a working class family, his father being a boot and shoe worker. Although initially fixed on a career in science, Wilson failed to gain sufficient grades to allow him to pursue this interest; he turned instead to writing. During his career he has written over 80 books most of which fall into four main categories: philosophy, criminology, the paranormal and psychology. His first published work was The Outsider (1956).
Wilson came into contact with the painter Albert Tucker on visits to Melbourne in 1987 and 1991. Tucker had been impressed with Wilson's book, The Occult, and, on Wilson's latter Australian visit, he and Tucker discussed this book in relation to the writing of the 'Ern Malley' poems.
