Top 10 Interesting Facts about Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson

Andrew Banjo Patterson- Photo by Falk Studio- Wikimedia Commons

Andrew Barton Paterson was also well known by his pen name ‘The Banjo’ which he adopted from the racehorse that he took on various treks. He was a folk poet from Australia, known for writing mostly about Australian life. He was raised in Narambla, which was mostly farmland and an industrial area. His early life was reflected in his works, and also evidently explains his pen name origin.

At the age of ten, he went to Sydney Grammar School and lived with his grandmother. Here, he did well in English and excelled as a sportsman. He also found a love for Polo.

These top 10 interesting facts about Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson disclose much about the Australian bushman whose work was and still is an inspiration.

1. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson Practiced Law

Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s painting- Portrait by – Agnes Noyes Goodsir- Wikimedia Commons

Andrew Banjo Paterson joined Sydney University at age 16 and pursued law. He had hoped to secure a scholarship and was actually a promising learner. When he, unfortunately, didn’t get one he decided to get a job. Banjo was hired as a law clerk and within six years he qualified to become a solicitor.

While working, Paterson wrote and released his first collection of poetry in ‘The Bulletin’. This journal, with a nationalistic focus, gave Banjo’s earliest work more than adequate exposure. Among his first poems was a bold piece that was a critique of the British war in Sudan.

2. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson Served In The Military

Andrew Banjo Patterson- Photo by Falk Studio- Wikimedia Commons

In 1915, Banjo enlisted in the military where he served abroad for at least four years. He worked as a war correspondent due to his skill set.

Andrew Paterson’s experience in the military influenced some of his works. ‘Rio Grande’s Last Race and Other Verses’ for instance were rather personal- he shares in detail his experiences during the war.

After his military service, Banjo went back to Sydney in 1919 and continued with his writing.

3. Banjo Disappeared While In Service

Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson was commissioned in the 2nd Remount Unit in the Australian Imperial Force in 1915. He was sent to France initially where he was injured and went missing in July 1916. Details of his disappearance are unclear. After this occurrence, Paterson was transferred to Egypt taking up veterinarian responsibilities. He transported horses on long distances.

4. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s Poetry Transcended Print

Craig’s hut from a Banjo poetry inspired movie- Photo by Sean Lanigan – Wikimedia Commons

Banjo’s works were rather popular. However some of his work in poetry was phenomenal; translated into movies. His poem ‘The Man from Snowy River’ is set in northwest of Canberra, New South Wales in Australia. It’s a poem talking about the escape of a valuable horse from a station and its recapture by the underdog horseman, the Man from Snowy River.

The Man from Snowy River was published on the 26th of April 1890 in The Bulletin magazine. This poem had not one, but three movies made out of it! In 1982, ‘The Man from Snowy River’ was released, and the sequel to it was released in 1988 titled ‘Return to Snowy River’.

Lastly, the 2003 sensation ‘The Man from Snowy River: Arena Spectacular’ which is a music theatre production was filmed in Brisbane Australia. Banjos’ poetry is one of the few to be turned into movies.

5. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson Was Well Traveled

By age 33, Banjo was more traveled than most. He had been to South Africa, the Philippines, and China- totally different corners of the world. Banjo’s travel was made possible through the work he did- being a journalist and covering the war as a correspondent meant that he traveled to cover happenings such as the Boxer Rebellion in China and the Boer War in South Africa.

Additionally, Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson served in Egypt and France when in the military.

6. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s Poetry Sold Out

It is every creative’s dream to sell out. Banjo’s work did just this- his very first poetry collection sold out, much less within the first week of release. Such an ego boost and a revenue generator. The collection ‘The Man from Snowy River and Other Verses’ published in 1895 sold out. Banjo sold at least 5,000 copies within the first four months and continued to sell thereafter. This might just have been the collection that had his name on everyone’s lips. Such a good start.

Andrew Paterson went on to publish many other works such as ‘With the Cattle’, ‘Clancy of the Overflow’, ‘The Man from Ironbark’, ‘Mugla Bill’s Bicycle’, and others.

7. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson Works Were Diverse

While Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson was famous for his poetry, the pen name ‘Banjo’ appears in literature other than in poetic works. He wrote many short stories, novels, innumerable newspaper articles, and magazine articles.

‘The Animals Noah Forgot’ is a popular children’s book that Paterson wrote- he had a flair for writing children’s books in addition to his other gifts.

8. Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson Appears on Australia Currency

Australian 10 dollar note sample- Photo by Reserve Bank of Australia- Wikimedia Commons

The Australian ten-dollar note features Banjo as well as lines from his famous ‘The Man from Snowy River’.

His poetry was rather memorable- talking about land and nature had Australians feeling patriotic thus he made a mark in the nation and was deserving of this honor.

9. Banjo’s Writing Abilities May Have Been Hereditary!

It is believed that Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson’s interest and later growth as a poet was cultivated during his stay with his grandmother. His grandmother Emily Mary Barton loved and wrote poetry and may have influenced Banjo.

Additionally, Paterson’s father Andrew Bogle Paterson was also a poet. Suffice to say, the love and gift of poetry ran in his family.

10. Banjo Has Ties To Australia’s First Australian Prime Minister

University of Sydney Law School- Photo by Jason Tong- Wikimedia Commons

Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson was related to the first Australian Prime Minister, Edward Barton. Banjo’s mother Rose Isabella Barton was born in Australia and was related to the Minister.

Andrew had some things in common with Edward Barton- both men attended Sydney Grammar and Sydney University where they studied law. They both worked at the solicitors’ office before they completed their studies.

Banjo Paterson was referred to as ‘bushman’. This was due to what he wrote about, largely influenced by his upbringing.  Andrew Patterson was raised in the country, his childhood was made up of farming and grazing animals together with his six younger siblings. His family reared livestock for sale.

His family hired and lived with a governess who was responsible for tutoring them. With such a solid foundation and close knit family, Banjo’s gift could thrive.