Adam Lindsay Gordon arrived in Adelaide only 17 years after establishment of the young colony of South Australia, and less than two years after the colony had attained self-government. Initially, he was probably better known as a horseman which took him over the border to race meetings in the Western District of Victoria, to Ballarat and to Melbourne. Having stood and won a seat in Parliament in South Australia, Gordon's stature, education, gentlemanly politeness and softly-spoken manner began to earn him the respect of the well-to-do, and he mingled easily in the literary circles of Melbourne, where popular sporting paper Bell's Life began publishing some of his racing verse. Unfortunately, his ability as a poet was underestimated until after his death in 1870. He became known as the National Poet of Australia in 1934, and was honoured with a bust in Poets' Corner of Westminster Abby; the only Australian poet to be so honoured.

Contents:
Chapter 1. A man in exile -- Chapter 2. A new start in a new land -- Chapter 3. Reckless and the leap -- Chapter 4. Gordon the politician (1865-1866) -- Chapter 5. Businesses fail but the poet prevails -- Chapter 6. A man overwhelmed -- Chapter 7. Dingley Dell, where Gordon's spirit lives on -- Chapter 8. Some poetic tributes and treasured verse.

Previous edition: 2003.

Includes bibliographical references and index.