Jacqueline Kent

The Seymour Biography Lecture provides eminent 'life writers', living in Australia and elsewhere, with an opportunity to explore the business and craft of biography, autobiography or memoir. 

In 2022, the lecture will be delivered by Jacqueline Kent. 

Jacqueline Kent was born in Sydney, and grew up there and in Adelaide. Originally trained as a journalist and broadcaster, she has also been a book editor and a reviewer for numerous publications, and has a Doctor of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney. As well as biography and general social history, she has written fiction for young adults.

Kent’s life writing works include:

  • A Certain Style: Beatrice Davis, a Literary Life, Viking, 2001 
  • An Exacting Heart: The Story of Hephzibah Menuhin, Viking, 2008 
  • The Making of Julia Gillard, Viking, 2009 
  • Take Your Best Shot: The Prime Ministership of Julia Gillard, Penguin, 2013 
  • Beyond Words: A Year with Kenneth Cook, University of Queensland Press, 2019 
  • Vida: A Woman For Our Time, Penguin, 2020

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential

The Seymour Biography Lecture is supported by Dr John Seymour and Mrs Heather Seymour AO.

For those unable to make it to Canberra for the event, it will be livestreamed online via the Library's facebook page. No bookings are required to watch the online stream.

About the Seymour Biography Lecture

The annual lecture, with associated activities, including seminars and workshops, was hosted by the Biography Institute at the Humanities Research Centre between 2005–2009. 

In 2010, the Lecture moved to the National Library of Australia as part of the Seymours’ ongoing sponsorship and support program. The Seymours also sponsor a Summer Scholarship in Biography at the National Library for young postgraduate students. 

Learn more about the Seymour Biography Lecture and previous speakers. 

Type Seymour Biography Lecture