Cornelius Moynihan

Cornelius Moynihan
Born
Cornelius Moynihan

10 June, 1862
Died14 November, 1915 (aged 53)
OccupationsLibrarian and author
Known forPoetry
Notable workMiscellaneous Poems

Cornelius Moynihan (10 June, 1862 - 14 November, 1915) was an Irish born Australian librarian and poet.

Biography

He was born on 10 June 1862 in County Kerry, Ireland as the second child and elder son of Denis Moynihan and Margaret Moynihan.[1] The entire Moynihan family migrated from Ireland to Brisbane in 1869[2] and occupied two acres of land in an area known as The Dip in North Brisbane, Australia and built a house.[1]

The entire Moynihan family stayed in that house for several generations.[1] Although he never got married, it is believed that he may have fathered an illegitimate son from an affair with Sarah Bennett.[2]

He died in Brisbane on 14 November 1915[1] and was buried in the Nudgee cemetery of Brisbane.[2]

Career

Poet

In 1880, he published a slim poetry volume called as Miscellaneous Poems — mainly love songs and epigrams under the pen-name 'Vivian'.[1]

Librarian

He was appointed as assistant librarian to the Queensland parliament in 1884.[1]

Bibliography

His notable works of poetry are:[2][1]

  • The Bunyip of Wendouree and Other Poems
  • Eureka (manuscript, 1904)
  • The German Armageddon (Brisbane, 1915)
  • The Feast of the Bunya, an 'Aboriginal ballad' , published in 1901

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cornelius (Con) Moynihan (1862–1915)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cornelius Moynihan". humphrysfamilytree.com. Retrieved 6 April 2026.