Shapcott, Thomas / Papers (National Library of Aus.)

Biographical Note

For much of his career a practising accountant and part-time writer, Tom Shapcott has published more than 36 titles including collections of poems, essays, short stories, novels and books for young readers. In 1992 he was appointed Executive Director of the National Book Council, a position which he held until 1997 when he accepted the post of inaugural Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.

Date	Event
1935	Born Ipswich, Queensland, 21 March
1940-48	Educated West Ipswich State School and Blair State School
1949-50	Attended Ipswich Grammar School
1951-61	Employee of H.S. Shapcott, Public Accountant
1960	Married Margaret Hodge
1961	Publication of Time on Fire for which he is awarded the Grace Leven Prize for Poetry
1963-68	Part-time Bachelor of Arts degree student, University of Queensland
1967	A Taste of Salt Water, which was awarded the Sir Thomas White Memorial Prize and the Myer Charity Trust Award
1972	Begin with Walking
1972-78	Sole practice, Shapcott & Shapcott, later specialising in taxation for writers, creative artists and academics
1974-76	Deputy Chairman, Literature Board of the Australia Council
1975	Shabbytown Calendar
1978-83	Receives the Canada-Australia Literary Award
1978-80	Full-time writer, including Senior Writing Literature Board Fellowship
1980	Divorced Margaret Hodge
1980-83	Treasurer, Australian Society of Authors
1982	Married Judith Rodriguez
1983	Travel in Europe and Canada on literary research
1983-90	Director, Literature Board of the Australia Council and member of a number of its specialist committees
1989	Awarded Order of Australia, Honorary Doctor of Letters, Macquarie University, Golden Wreath of Struga International Poetry Festival, Yugoslavia
1990-92	Full-time writer, Category A Literature Board Fellowship and Treasurer, Australian Society of Authors
1991-97	Executive Director, National Book Council
1992-	Director, Copyright Agency Ltd
1995	Received Christopher Brennan Award, Fellowship of Australian Writers
1997-	Professor of Creative Writing, University of Adelaide