Robert Gray was born in 1945 on the north coast of New South Wales and has worked as a book buyer, journalist, advertising copywriter and mail-sorter. He was an early recipient of Australia Council grants, enabling him to travel in China, Japan, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. He has written eight books of poetry and a prize-winning memoir.Robert received the first Patrick White award, the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal and an Emeritus award from the Australia Council.He lives in Sydney with his partner Dee Jones.