AustLit

H. H. Champion, an active socialist and founding member of the Fabian Society, settled in Australia in 1894. He founded the Australasian Authors' Agency in 1906, which represented writers such as Dorothea Mackellar and Martin Boyd, and published a number of works by Australian authors.With his wife, Elsie, he ran the Book Lovers' Library in Melbourne for many years. The Book Lovers' Library stocked many books not available in larger commercial lending libraries, therefore attracting a predominantly literary and artistic clientele. In 1899 a monthly magazine was established to distribute information on the library holdings. The Book Lover printed articles on Australian Literature and reviews of new works by authors such as A. B. Paterson, Victor Daley and Henry Lawson. In addition, it published news about the activities of clubs and societies such as the Melbourne Repertory Society and the Melbourne Literary Club. The Book Lover ceased production in 1921; Champion was declared bankrupt in 1922, and died in 1928.