Bernard Cronin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernard Cronin
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| Born | Bernard Charles Cronin 18 March 1884 Ealing, England |
| Died | 9 June 1968 (aged 84) Camberwell, Victoria, Australia |
| Pen name | Dennis Adair, Hugh Bohun, Wallace Dixon, Tas East, Eric North, Stephen Grey (when writing jointly with Capel Boake (Doris Boake Kerr)) |
| Occupation | Writer and journalist |
Bernard Cronin (born March 18, 1884 – died June 9, 1968) was an Australian writer and journalist. He helped start a special club for writers in 1920. This club later grew into the Society of Australian Authors.
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Early Life and Education
Bernard Cronin was born in Ealing, England, in 1884. When he was very young, his parents moved to Australia. Bernard followed them later, traveling by ship when he was six years old.
He studied agriculture and graduated in 1901 from Dookie Agricultural College. This college is now part of the Goulburn Ovens Institute of Technical and Further Education. Bernard was the first person to win a gold medal from the college.
In 1908, he tried cattle farming in Tasmania with his brother. However, the land was difficult, and their farming business was not successful.
Becoming a Writer
Bernard Cronin married Victoria Maud Ferres in 1908. In 1913, he moved back to Melbourne. He worked as a salesman and then as a clerk for the Department of the Navy. During this time, he started spending his free time writing stories.
His first novel, The Coastlanders, was published in 1918. It was set in Tasmania. Bernard Cronin wrote many books, short stories, and poems. He also wrote a radio play called Stampede in 1937.
He used his own name for some of his works. For others, he used different pen names, like Dennis Adair, Hugh Bohun, Wallace Dixon, Tas East, and Eric North. He even used the name Stephen Grey when he wrote with another author, Doris Boake Kerr.
Journalism and War Work
In the 1920s, Cronin worked for the Melbourne Herald newspaper. From 1936 to 1957, he wrote over 50 articles for Walkabout magazine. In the 1950s, he also wrote for the Melbourne Sun.
During World War II, Bernard Cronin worked as a publicity censor. This meant he checked information before it was made public, to make sure it was safe and appropriate during wartime.
Helping Other Writers
Bernard Cronin cared a lot about supporting other writers. In 1920, he and Gertrude Hart started a group called the Old Derelicts' Club. This club was for new writers who were just starting their careers.
This club grew and became the Society of Australian Authors in 1927. Bernard Cronin was the first president of this important society. He was also a member of the International PEN Club in Melbourne and became a life member in 1961.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Bernard Cronin enjoyed woodcarving and painting. He was also very interested in the Bible.
Bernard Cronin passed away on June 9, 1968, at his home in East Camberwell, Victoria. He was buried in Springvale Cemetery.
Today, a street in McKellar, a suburb of Canberra, is named Cronin Street. It is one of several streets in that area named after famous Australian authors.
