Australian literary giant David Malouf died on 22 April 2026

Internationally acclaimed author and poet David Malouf AO has died, aged 92. David Malouf wrote across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, libretti and plays, and made a significant and continued impact on Australian literature. David won numerous prizes for his work, including the Miles Franklin Award, Commonwealth Writers’ prize, the Prix Femina Etranger, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and Australia-Asia Literary Award. He was also an admired teacher and lecturer both in Australia and Europe.

Born and raised in Brisbane, David’s work captures the Australian experience and continues to resonate across generations. Alongside his achievements as a writer, David was a loyal, loving friend to many and devoted to his family. He was a passionate supporter of Opera Australia, Adelaide Writers Week and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

He died on 22 April 2026, at the age of 92. A memorial service will take place later in the year.

His Australian literary agent, Jane Novak said:

‘David Malouf was a giant in the world of literature, his accolades are varied and numerous. His contribution to Australian culture is immeasurable but I will miss the kind, generous, wonderful man behind the masterpieces. It was my great honour to represent David and this is a great loss.’

His prose publisher, Meredith Curnow at Penguin Random House said:

‘Everyone at PRH loved working with David, talking and laughing with him, hearing family stories, discussing the books he had read and the film, music, art and work he admired. He was committed to reading and supporting new Australian writers. He has left behind a body of work that comforts, challenges and entertains.’

His poetry publisher Madonna Duffy at UQP said:

‘Since UQP published David Malouf’s first volume of poetry in 1970 we have enjoyed a continuous and rewarding publishing relationship with him. His poetry remains in print and is still being admired and appreciated by readers everywhere. He was writing poetry and productive to the very end of his life. I personally published his poetry for the past twenty years and will feel his loss greatly.’

Writer and friend, Nicholas Jose said:

‘David was a good friend to me as to so many other writers over many years. David believed in readers. From his enduring evocation of his Brisbane youth in Johnno to his re-imagining of the classical world in An Imaginary Life and Ransom, his writing created new possibilities for Australian literature. He is a brilliant essayist, an astute and generous critic, and a poet first and last. He has always been a great advocate for literature and for the power of imagination to change lives. His life and work have changed our lives. His work will go on doing that.’