Books by A.B. Paterson
The celebrated Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson produced a rich body of literary work that went far beyond his iconic ballads. Though his most popular poems like “The Man from Snowy River,” “Clancy of the Overflow,” and “Waltzing Matilda” are his most widely known, Paterson was a prolific writer who published numerous volumes of verse, short story collections, novels, and children’s books over his decades-long career.
The Published Works of A.B. “Banjo” Paterson
Before his first poetry collection, Paterson contributed verse to publications like “The Bulletin” (1885 – 1889).
Newspapers
The Bulletin
Early Editions
Major Poetry Collections
1895 “The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses” – Paterson’s beloved debut featuring his most iconic ballads.
The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses
by Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson
1902 “Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses” – Another collection continuing Paterson’s Outback poetry themes.
Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses
by Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson
1917 “Three Elephant Power and Other Stories” – Collection of short stories about life in the Australian bush.
Three Elephant Power and Other Stories
by Andrew Barton ‘Banjo’ Paterson
1917 “Saltbush Bill, J.P., and Other Verses” – Includes the poem “Saltbush Bill.”
1923 – “The Collected Verse of A.B. Paterson” – A comprehensive poetry collection spanning his early career.
1933 “The Animals Noah Forgot” – Children’s book of poems about whimsical animals.
1934 – “Happy Dispatches” – Collection of Paterson’s war journalism and reportage.
Novels
1900 – “An Outback Marriage: A Story of Australian Life by A.B. Paterson” – Novel about life in rural Australia.
1936 – “The Shearer’s Colt” – Paterson’s later novel set in the Outback.
Short Stories
1898 – “The Cast-Iron Canvasser” – One of Paterson’s early short stories.
Beyond his bush ballads, Paterson brought the Outback to life in narrative poems recounting tales of struggle and adventure in the frontier. Collections like The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses and Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses established Paterson as a masterful storyteller in verse. His poems romantically evoked the colorful characters and rugged beauty of the Australian bush. Though prized as a poet, Paterson was also an accomplished author of prose. In gripping sagas like An Outback Marriage and humor-filled short story collections such as Three Elephant Power and Other Stories, Paterson displayed his remarkable range and vivid depictions of the Australian spirit. Whether in rousing ballads or Outback drama, Paterson’s works exemplified both the trials and the folklore of Australian life. His books transported readers from the sheep stations of New South Wales to the dusty frontier – and into the essence of the Australian soul.
