| Robert Richardson | |
| Birth Date: | 7 January 1850 |
| Birth Place: | Colony of New South Wales |
| Death Place: | Armidale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | writer and store-keeper |
| Language: | English |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Years Active: | 1875–1901 |
Robert Richardson (1850–1901) was an Australian journalist, poet and writer for children, possibly the first Australian-born children's writer.[1] He was born in New South Wales, eldest son of John Richardson, a New South Wales politician and store-keeper, and Janet, sister of Peter Nicol Russell.[2]
Richardson completed a B.A. at the University of Sydney and later became well known for his contributions to a number of Sydney and Australian periodicals and newspapers. He was also a member of the firm of Richardson and Company, an Armidale-based millers and general store-keepers, started by his father.[3]
He left Australia for a life in Edinburgh in 1886 before returning to Sydney around 1894. He died in Armidale on 4 October 1901.[3] [4]