Herb Wharton: key obituary facts
Is Herb Wharton dead? Yes. Herb Wharton died on May 12, 2026, at age 89.
Cause of death: Herb Wharton's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Herb Wharton known for?
He was a Contemporary Indigenous Australian poet and novelist.
More about Herb Wharton
Born: 1 January 1936.
Place of birth: Cunnamulla.
Gender: male.
Occupation: poet.
Awards: Member of the Order of Australia.
Also known as: Herbert Morsley Wharton.
Herb Wharton, an Australian writer, died on May 12, 2026.
Herbert Morsley Wharton AM was born in Cunnamulla, Queensland, in 1936 and was an Indigenous Australian former stockman who began publishing poetry and yarn-like novels in his fifties. A Murri man, with a Kooma maternal grandmother and Irish grandfathers, he gained international recognition for his work.
His honours included the Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature in 2012, the Queensland Greats Award in 2013 and appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Herb Wharton, 89–90, Australian writer. (death announced on this date)