Who was Miles Franklin?
Miles Franklin was an Australian writer, born in 1879, best known for her novel My Brilliant Career, published in 1901. Her bequest founded the Miles Franklin Award, Australia's most prestigious literary prize.
Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin grew up on farms in the Snowy Mountains region and near Goulburn in New South Wales. She wrote My Brilliant Career as a teenager, telling the story of Sybylla Melvyn, an independent young woman who rejects marriage to pursue her dreams.
The novel was praised for its lively voice and portrayal of rural life, but some of Franklin's family and neighbours were upset, believing they were the models for characters.
Life overseas
Franklin spent many years in the United States, where she worked for the Women's Trade Union League in Chicago, and in Britain, including as a volunteer during the First World War.
She returned to Sydney and continued writing, sometimes under the pen name Brent of Bin Bin. She died in 1954.
The Miles Franklin Literary Award has been given since 1957 for a novel portraying Australian life. In 1979, My Brilliant Career was made into a successful film starring Judy Davis.
Did You Know?
Patrick White won the first Miles Franklin Award in 1957 for Voss.