John Blight was born at Unley, South Australia, and moved with his family to Queensland while still an infant. He attended Brisbane High School and, after some years of itinerant labour during the depression, he qualified as an accountant. In 1939 he began work as an accountant for a sawmill and later became part-owner of several mills in the Gympie area, and after the war served on the Timber Inquiry Commission. In 1968 he sold those interests and moved to Brisbane where he became a full-time writer in 1973 with the support of a fellowship from the Literature Board.
Blight's first published poems appeared in the Bulletin in 1939 and his first book The Old Pianist appeared in 1945. Blight is best-known as a poet of the sea, but his poem, 'His Best Poems are About the Sea' in Hart (1975) reminds readers of his diversity. Blight's poetry explores other themes such as urban life, women's beauty and the sexuality of old men.
Blight is widely published and has won many awards. He has been the holder of a Literature Board Emeritus Fellowship and in 1987 was made AM for services to literature and education.
Selected Poems, 1939-1975
Melbourne
:
Nelson
,
1976
Z544908
1976
selected work
poetry
