Born in Victoria, George Ernest Moll entered Concordia College, Adelaide, 'where in five years he completed the six-year course preliminary to the study of theology, but was requested by the Director of his College not to continue his efforts in that field' (Native Moments and Other Poems by Ernest G. Moll, 1931, Metropolitan Press: Portland, Oregon, p. 69). After some months in training with the Australian Militia, he returned to his father's property. In 1920 he went to America to study, gaining a BA at Lawrence College, Wisconsin, in 1922 and an MA at Harvard in 1923. From 1923 to 1925 he was Instructor in English in Colorado College, Colorado Springs, then for two years he collected and imported live Australian birds into America. From 1928-1966 he was Professor of English at the University of Oregon, although he was in Australia in 1939-40 in a teacher exchange, lecturing in a Sydney teachers' college. On his retirement he was awarded the University of Oregon Medal for Distinguished Academic Service.
Although resident in America for much of his life, Moll retained his Australian citizenship and a strong affinity with Australia. He published a number of books of poetry, which reflect an Australian outlook and subject matter and show his characteristic clear and conversational style. He also published books on the appreciation of poetry and of art.
