Palmer-Archer was one of eight children born in Jolimont Square, Melbourne to Hugh O'Ferrall and his wife Mary nee Brophy, both from Limerick, Ireland. She was the sister of E. F. O'Ferrall (q.v.), journalist and writer, who worked on the Sydney Bulletin and wrote popular sketches, light verse and stories. Her younger sister, Nancy O'Ferrall, had stories published in the Australasian and Lone Hand under the name of 'Bohemienne'. Palmer-Archer married Tasmanian Tom Palmer-Archer in 1888 and they moved to 'Barendo', a station on the Warrego, Queensland, which her husband took over. Later her husband became a stock and station agent for New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency at Hughenden. She wrote short stories for the Australasian and the Australian Town and Country Journal. Her stories reflect life on the station in the 1890s.
(Source: Adapted from 'Laura Palmer-Archer' in Patricia Clarke Pen Portraits : women writers and journalists in nineteenth century Australia (1988):137-138)
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