AustLit

Few details of the poet Charles Macdonald (who wrote under the pseudonym 'Sorencia') have yet come to light. What is known is that he went blind at a young age and lived in Sydney's Benevolent Asylum.

In December 1834, the editor of the Sydney Times, in a column addressed 'To Correspondents', writes: 'The very pleasing pieces of poetry by "Sorencia" being authenticated as original, shall have immediate insertion, and will we are sure excite great interest among our readers, as being the production of an inmate of our Benevolent Asylum, at the age of only 23 years, and afflicted with that dreadful calamity, blindness.' (9 December 1834: 2)

Victor Crittenden, in a Biographical Note at the beginning of An Address on the Fiftieth Anniversary of New South Wales (1980), states that he was unable to find any details about the origins of Charles Macdonald. He notes that there were two convicts named 'Charles McDonald' who were about the right age and transported in 1828, and another who came to Australia as a free settler in 1834. (A search of the New South Wales Convict Records shows only one result for a 'Charles Macdonald' - transported to Australia on the Norfolk in 1829 and dying of natural causes in 1846.)

By 1838, Macdonald had virtually lost his eyesight. The Australian Magazine of that year mentions that if Macdonald could travel to England he could be cured, but he was unable to raise the money.

In November 1838 Macdonald published a notice 'To the Australian Public' in the advertising columns of Sydney newspapers. The notice appeals 'for succour and support' and ends with the postscript: 'My last publication, containing a History of my Life with a Prose Essay, entitled the Fate of a Genius, with four Original Songs, may be had at Mr. Tegg's, Bookseller, George-street, price 1s. 6d. I humbly request that each of the Editors of the Australian Newspapers will give the above article a place in their columns. Persons desirous of befriending me may send their donations, addressed to the Australian Office.'

Macdonald was still advertising for patronage in August 1839. An advertisement 'To the Lovers of Literature' appears on page one of the Australian newspaper on 27 August 1839.