This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1942.
For an overview of world literature see 1942 in literature.
See also: 1941 in Australian literature, 1942 in Australia, 1943 in Australian literature.
James Aldridge — Signed With Their HonourJean Devanny — The Killing of Jacqueline LoveArthur Gask — His Prey Was ManMichael Innes — The Daffodil AffairEve Langley — The Pea-PickersWill Lawson — Bound for CallaoPhilip LindsayThe Gentle KnightHeart of a KingNevil ShuteMost SecretPied PiperChildren's and Young Adult fiction
Mary Grant Bruce — Billabong RidersMary Durack & Elizabeth Durack — A Book of Picture StoriesDorothy Wall — A Tiny Story of Blinky BillJohn K. Ewers — "Harvest"Alan Marshall — "Blow Carson, I Say"Harold Mercer — The Adventures of Mrs. ParsleyIvan Southall — Out of the DawnEthel Anderson — Squatter's Luck and Other PoemsRosemary Dobson — "In a Convex Mirror"Mary E. Fullerton"Lovers""Unit"Mary Gilmore — "Nationality"James McAuley — "Terra Australis"Leonard Mann — "The Earth"Ian Mudie — "Retreat of a Pioneer"Douglas Stewart — "Old Iron"Judith Wright — "The Company of Lovers"T. Inglis Moore — Six Australian PoetsA list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1942 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.
5 January — Michael Wilding, novelist and academic8 May — Peter Corris, novelist26 June — Humphrey McQueen, author29 August — Gillian Rubinstein, writer for children17 October — Nicholas Hasluck, novelist and jurist20 October — Bob Graham, author and illustrator7 November — Helen Garner, novelist12 November — Janette Turner Hospital, novelistUnknown date
Margaret Clark, writer for childrenBob Ellis, journalistDavid Williamson, playwrightA list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1942 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.
19 January — Mary Gaunt, novelist (born 1861)21 January — Dorothy Wall, writer for children (born 1894)22 February — Furnley Maurice, poet (born 1881)7 May — William Baylebridge, poet and short story writer (born 1883)19 May — John Shaw Neilson, poet (born 1872) 