This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1940.
For an overview of Australian literature see List of years in Australian_literature
For an overview of world literature see 1940 in literature.
See also: 1939 in Australian literature, 1940 in Australia, 1941 in Australian literature.
Meanjin magazine publishes its first issue in Brisbane.Martin Boyd – Nuns in JeopardyDulcie Deamer – HolidayArthur GaskThe House on the FensThe Tragedy of the Silver MoonMichael InnesThe Secret VanguardThere Came Both Mist and SnowNevil ShuteLandfall: A Channel StoryAn Old CaptivityHelen Simpson – Maid No MoreChristina Stead – The Man Who Loved ChildrenArthur Upfield – Bushranger of the SkiesMary Grant Bruce – Peter & Co.May Gibbs – The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and CuddlepieP. L. Travers – Happy Ever AfterDorothy Wall – Blinky Bill Joins the ArmyMary Gilmore – "No Foe Shall Gather Our Harvest"Max Harris – The Gift of BloodEve Langley – "Native-Born"Ian Mudie – Corroboree to the SunRoderic Quinn – "Tyrrell's Bookshop"Kenneth Slessor – "Metempsychosis"Douglas Stewart – Elegy for an AirmanA list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1940 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.
9 February – J. M. Coetzee, novelist19 March – Andrew Taylor, poet12 April – Jack Hibberd, playwright and novelist16 April – Marion Halligan, novelist28 July – Geoffrey Lehmann, poet and writer for children7 July – Geoff Page, poet18 August – Jan Owen, poetUnknown date
Carmel Bird, novelistRosaleen Love, critic and short story writerCraig Powell, poetRon Pretty, poetA list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1940 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.
27 March – K. Langloh Parker, author (born 1856)3 May – S. Elliott Napier, poet and journalist (born 1870)