Brian Matthews is the author of short stories, essays, and biographies. He was a weekly columnist for the Weekend Australian Magazine (1997–2001) and has been a monthly columnist for Eureka Street since 1997.

His memoir A Fine and Private Place (2000) won the inaugural Queensland Premier’s Award for non-fiction and his Manning Clark: A Life (2008) won the National Biography Award in 2010. (ABR)

Chronicles his working-class upbringing in St Kilda and his father's determination to get his family away from the suburb's violence and threatening streets, ultimately leading to tragedy and loss.