Jas Heriot Duke (145 works by) (a.k.a. Jas H. Duke; James Heriot Duke )
Born: Established: 1939 Ballarat ; Died: 19 Jun 1992 Melbourne
Gender: Male

BiographyHistory

Born in Ballarat, Jas Duke became involved with the Communist Youth League in his 20s but was dismissed from the organisation. He worked for a time in the Department of Supply, but left Australia in 1966 to spend time in the USA and the UK. During this period he developed his interests in anarchism, dada, surrealism and experimental film. Duke returned to Australia in 1972 and for the next twenty years was committed to performance poetry and to the writing and publication of his poems. During this period he worked as a draughtsman and a technical officer for the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works.

Notes

  • Duke co-wrote the broadside 'In Commemoration of the Pope's 1986 Australian Tour', with 'Thalia' (q.v.). Some of his poems were set to music in 1999 by Colin Bright.

    Note: OX incorrectly lists Duke's second given name as 'Hercot'.