Peter Dodds McCormick
|
|
Peter Dodds McCormick (1834? - October 30, 1916), a Scottish-born schoolteacher, was the composer of the Australian national anthem Advance Australia Fair.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he arrived in Sydney (at that time the principal city of the British colony of New South Wales) in 1855. Details of his earlier years, prior to his arrival in Australia, are shadowy. He spent most of his life employed by the NSW Education Department. He was also heavily involved with the Scottish Presbyterian Church and in the organisation and execution of choir events.
He composed the tune for Advance Australia Fair in 1878 under the pseudonym of Amicus. It was first sung by Andrew Fairfax in Sydney on St Andrew's Day (November 30) that year at a Highland Society function. The song quickly gained popularity and an amended version was sung by a choir of 10,000 at the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. In 1907, the Australian Government awarded McCormick £100 for having composed it.
McCormick was buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney.
External link
- This website (http://lachlan.bluehaze.com.au/aaf/) has an image of Peter Dodds McCormick and a variety of versions of Advance Australia Fair.