Dowell O'Reilly


Dowell Philip O'Reilly was an Australian poet, short story writer and politician.

Early life

O'Reilly was born in Sydney to a clergyman father.

Political career

In 1894 O'Reilly was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Parramatta and sat for four years. In 1910 he again stood for Parramatta, this time as a Labor candidate with the encouragement of Billy Hughes, but was defeated, and shortly afterwards obtained a position in the Sydney land tax branch of the Commonwealth Treasury. In 1913, Hughes asked O'Reilly about the views of his brother-in-law, Albert Piddington, on states' rights. O'Reilly cabled Piddington to clarify this, and as a result of Piddington's reply, "In sympathy with supremacy of Commonwealth powers", Hughes appointed him to the Australian High Court. As a result of opposition to his appointment and his belief that he was compromised by the exchange of cables he resigned without sitting in court.

Poems

  • Australian Poems under pseudonym 'D'.
  • Pedlar's Pack.

Short stories

Letters

  • Dowell O'Reilly From his Letters.

Individual poems

  • "Sea-Grief"