Harold Mercer (1882–1952) was an Australian short story writer and poet who was born in Kelvin Grove in Queensland.[1]
Harold Mercer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harold Bailey 1882 Kelvin Grove, Queensland |
| Died | 13 June 1952 (aged 69–70) Bondi, New South Wales |
| Occupation | short story writer and poet |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Years active | 1897-1952 |
Life
editMercer's birth name was "Harold Bailey" but this was changed to "Harold Mercer" after his parents' divorce when his mother reverted to her maiden name.
When young he was considered something of a chess prodigy and his name was given to the Harold Mercer Cup for Junior Chess Champion of Australia from 1949.[1] At the time of his death he was publicity officer of the New South Wales Chess Association, having earlier served as its honorary secretary.[2]
Mercer married in 1905 and worked as a clerk and then as an accountant in Sydney. He became involved in union affairs and helped found the Artists' and Writers' Union.
He enlisted in the First World War and served as a corporal in 1st Battalion with the AIF. He was wounded and invalided from France to London before returning to Australia.[1]
After the war he worked as a publicity officer and sub-editor on the monthly Aussie. Throughout his adult life he continued to write prolifically.
Besides his own name Mercer also used the pseudonyms "Spare Corp", "Hamer", "Exdig", "Harold Hardupp", "Hamfat", "Percy Pawnticket", "The Frequent Lover" and others when publishing his work.[3]
He died in Bondi in Sydney in a road accident after having dinner at his son's house.[3]
Bibliography
editNovel
edit- Amazon Island (1933)
Collections
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Austlit — Harold Mercer". Austlit. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- ^ "THE Chess Corner". The World's News. No. 2638. New South Wales, Australia. 12 July 1952. p. 34. Retrieved 19 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b Mercer, Harold (25 June 1952). ""With Self-Clipped Wings". The Bulletin. 73 (3776): 4, 14. Retrieved 18 November 2023 – via Trove.
- ^ "The Search for the Bonzer Tart by Harold Mercer". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "The Frequent Lover : His Verses by Harold Mercer". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Austlit — The Lady Who Was French and Other Stories by Harold Mercer". Austlit. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "The Adventures of Mrs Parsley by Harold Mercer". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Romances in Real Life by Harold Mercer". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 29 May 2024.