William Main (29 works by)
Also writes as: Blue Gum ; W. M.
Born: Established: 4 Nov 1860 Glasgow ; Died: 19 Jun 1946 Goodna
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1887
From IGI, his father was John Main, his mother, Betsy. From Horn his father was manager for Tod & McGregor, shipbuilders. One of the poems in Bush Solitudes is titled In Memoriam and dedicated to H.M.S. Victoria. Wonder if this RAAM entry is related to this Main. Main, William John. Log of the commission in Australian waters of H.M.S. Wallaroo from April 1897 to June 1900 : including a cruise to the New Hebrides involving a punitive expedition with also the journeys out and home in H.M.S.S. Royal Arthur and Europa 1897-1900 Microform National Library of Australia, Manuscript Section (ANL:MS) cf 31.01.06 ADFA Personality files checked (JR 23/2/06)

Re confirmation that The Queenslander contributor 'W. M.' was William Main, see : 'Literary Chitchat', The Queenslander, 18 July 1896: p. 115 - 'Mr William Main, who has for some years past been a regular contributor of poetry to the "Queenslander" over the initials "W. M.", has just completed arrangements with Messrs. George Robertson and Co. for the publication of a volume of his poems under the title of "Bush Solitudes"...' - rt 15/5/06.

Also see 'Notices to Correspondents' The Queenslander 18 December 1897 (p. 1154), where The Queenslander replies to 'W.M.' : 'New year poem accepted with thanks. Do you not think it would be better to attach your full name to your work? Having established a certain reputation and published a book, your name would, we venture to think, add to the attractiveness of the poem.' - rt 26/9/06.

BiographyHistory

Educated at Ayr Academy, Scotland. After arrival in Queensland, 1887, was connected with the agricultural industry. Contributed verse and other literary articles to the The Queenslander, The Bulletin, Sydney Mail and other Australian and overseas periodicals. Lived on Bribie Island from 1925 to 1942.