Author talk – Frank Moorhouse: Strange Paths with Matthew Lamb

Join the Friends of the National Library and biographer Matthew Lamb for 'a ramble in the mind of an adolescent' as he delves into young Frank Moorhouse's life, exploring how this critical period shaped the author and why adolescence deserves more attention in literary biography.

You can attend this event in-person or watch the online livestream. The livestream link will be sent a week before the event and again one day prior to the event.

Frank Moorhouse was a legendary writer in Australian literary and cultural life. He was known for a diverse body of work including essays, short stories, journalism, scripts, the iconic Edith Trilogy – an unapologetic activist, intellectual, libertarian and champion of freedom of speech and sexual self-determination. Though he lived his life publicly, his private stories have not been shared and the many paths he forged were left unexamined until recently. The Library holds Moorhouse’s early papers from when he started writing at aged 12.

A sepia group photo of the 10 young men in the Nowra softball team, including Frank Moorhouse. Photo-shopped onto the photo on the bottom right corner is a purple circle with white writing reading 'Friends event'

Frank Moorhouse [middle front], 1954, courtesy Matthew Lamb.

Frank Moorhouse [middle front], 1954, courtesy Matthew Lamb.

About Matthew Lamb

Matthew Lamb is the author of Frank Moorhouse: Strange Paths, the first in a projected two volume cultural biography of Frank Moorhouse. He is a former editor of Review of Australian Fiction and Island magazines and has two PhDs in Literature and Philosophy. He currently writes the Public Things Newsletter on the relationship between literary culture and democracy.

A tall man and shorter woman in the Treasures Gallery looking at a large black and white photo of the Library's main reading room taken in the 1960s. A woman in a pink top is looking at a framed artwork nearby.
Become a Friend

Friends of the National Library of Australia share a passion for the Library and its collections.

Information article
Young man looking at convict uniform on display in the gallery
What's on

Explore events, exhibitions, learning sessions, talks, and discussions - both online and in-person.

Event details
12 Feb 2025
6:00pm – 7:00pm
$15 Friends Members | $20 Non-members | $15 Members livestream only | $20 Non-members livestream only
Conference Room, Online

Visit us

Find our opening times, get directions, join a tour, or dine and shop with us.

Plan your visit