James McAuley

James Phillip McAuley (12 October 1917 – 15 October 1976) was an Australian academic, poet, journalist, and literary critic. He is well-known for his involvement in the Ern Malley poetry hoax. Born in Lakemba, Sydney, McAuley attended Fort Street High School and Sydney University, majoring in English, Latin, and philosophy. He edited Hermes, the annual literary journal of the University of Sydney Union, where many of his early poems were published. McAuley began his career as an Anglican and served as an organist and choirmaster at Holy Trinity Church. He later converted to Roman Catholicism. During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the Australian Army. McAuley also spent time in New Guinea, which he considered his second home.