Clement Byrne Christesen | |
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Born | 1911 Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
Died | 28 June 2003 Templestowe, Victoria, Australia |
Education | University of Queensland |
Occupation | Literary editor |
Spouse | Nina Mikhailovna Maximov (m. 1942–2001) |
Parents | Patrick Christesen Susan Byrne |
Clement Byrne Christesen (1911–2003) was the founder of the Australian literary magazine, Meanjin. He served as the magazine's editor from 1940 until 1974.
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Clement Byrne Christesen was born and spent his early life in Townsville. His father, Patrick was of mixed Irish and Danish descent, while his mother Susan Byrne, was mostly Irish. The family moved to Brisbane in 1917, where Clem later attended the University of Queensland.
After leaving university, Clem worked as a journalist at Brisbane's Courier-Mail and the Telegraph, as well as a publicity officer for the Queensland government.[1]
Meanjin Papers was first published in 1940, following Christesen's return from overseas travel.
With an offer of full-time salary and commercial support for the publication, the magazine and its editor moved to the University of Melbourne in 1945.
He retired as editor in 1974.
Christesen was granted several awards and state honours in recognition of his achievements:[1][2]