Robert Dessaix

Robert Dessaix is a writer, translator, broadcaster and occasional essayist.

From 1985 to 1995, after teaching Russian language and literature for many years at the Australian National University and the University of New South Wales, he presented the weekly Books and Writing program on ABC Radio National. In more recent years, he has also presented radio series on Australian public intellectuals and great travellers in history, as well as regular programs on language.

Robert’s best known books, all translated into several European languages, are his autobiography A Mother’s Disgrace, the novels Night Letters and Corfu, a collection of essays and short stories (And So Forth) and the travel memoirs Twilight Of Love and Arabesques. His latest book is the memoir What Days Are For.

A full-time writer since 1995, Robert Dessaix lives in Hobart, Tasmania.