AustLit

This agent's identity remains to be established conclusively, however research suggests that they might have been Rev. James Rodgerson (ca. 1842-1923), a Methodist clergyman and home-missionary, who spent a number of years living in regional Queensland in the later 19th and earlier 20th centuries. Notably, many of 'Jay Arr's' poems involve religious and spiritual themes.

From the address line accompanying their poems, it appears that 'Jay Arr' lived in Central Queensland in the period ca. 1897-1908. They were at Bundaberg in 1897-1898, at Banana (near Biloela) in 1899, and at Benaraby (near Gladstone) in 1908. Significantly, James Rodgerson (who entered a number of limericks in newspaper competitions), also appears to have been at Benaraby in the years 1908-1909, and this might well have been the James Rodgerson (q.v.) whose poem 'Christmas Bells', appeared in the Queenslander in December 1896.

In addition, it appears that 'Jay Arr' might have been the author 'J. R.' (q.v.), another Queenslander poet, who was at Bundaberg in 1897. Their poems 'To a Butterfly' and 'Vacant Chairs', both involve religious and spiritual themes.