Elsie Clarice Cole was born in Melbourne from English parents. Her grandfather, mother and brother all composed poetry and both her brother and her grandfather achieved publication. Cole was educated at the South Melbourne College and her principal, the poet John Bernard O'Hara influenced her nature poetry.
Cole's first publication was in The Bulletin when she was still at school, which The Bulletin published despite her not having put any address on her contribution. Prior to this achievement she appeared in print in the school magazine. Cole also edited the magazine for a year, as did Katharine Susannah Prichard, with whom Cole formed a close and lasting friendship.
After she left school Cole joined the Victorian Hansard staff, where she gained considerable insight into the workings of Parliament. In 1926 she married the chief of the Hansard staff, Alfred H. Angel. After her marriage she lived in Cheltenham, Victoria, where she established several acres of garden. She was also a watercolour artist, an accomplished pianist, and loved all animals.
Cole published poetry and short stories in a range of periodicals, including The Lone Hand, The Bulletin, and The Australian Woman's Mirror and her work appears in several anthologies. Much of her work celebrates nature, but she also published topical verses under several pen-names.
