Henry Halloran (poet)

Henry Halloran was born on 6 April 1811, at Cape Town, Cape Colony, to Laurence Hynes Halloran and Lydia Anne, née Hall. He was educated at his father's school before starting his career as a clerk in the NSW Public Service. == Career as Public Servant ==

Halloran became a clerk in the Survey Department in 1827, later becoming chief clerk. In 1859, the Crown Lands Office and Survey Department merged under his supervision. In February, 1866, Halloran was appointed the under-secretary in the Colonial Secretary's Department by Henry Parkes. A year later, Parkes appointed Halloran a justice of the peace. In 1867 and 1873, Halloran was involved in making arrangements for significant events such as welcoming the Duke of Edinburgh and the public funeral of William Charles Wentworth. For five years [1875 to 1880], Halloran was a N.S.W. commissioner for exhibitions in Philadelphia, Melbourne, Paris and Sydney. After 1878, Halloran was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) and retired with a pension. He set up as a land agent but shortly after, he retired. == Career as Poet ==

From the 1840s, Halloran's verses could be found in magazines and newspapers, and he became included in Sydney's literary circles. He was known for supporting and encouraging young writers, even reportedly finding Henry Kendall a job in the Colonial Secretary's Department. Halloran published [in 1887] Poems, Odes and Songs and [in 1890] A Few Love Rhymes of a Married Life. == Personal life ==

Halloran's first marriage was in 1841 to Elizabeth Henrietta, the daughter of Joseph Underwood, with whom he had eight children, four boys and four girls before she died in 1889. == Death ==

On 19 May 1893, Halloran died at Ashfield. He was buried in St John's Church of England cemetery. His funeral was attended by, amongst other officials, Henry Parkes. == Bibliography ==