Emily Coungeau (3 May 1860 – 26 July 1936) was an English-born Australian poet.
Biography
Although only starting to write poetry after the age of 50, Coungeau was a prolific writer whose work was widely published in Australian newspapers, and in four volumes of poetry published between 1914 and 1934.[1]
Coungeau's poem, "Love's Reverie", became a song, set to music by Percy Brier in 1913.[3] In 1922 she wrote the libretto for
Alfred Hill's romantic opera, Auster!.[4]
In 1935 Coungeau was awarded life membership of Society of British Authors, Playwrights and Composers. She was a foundation member of the Lyceum Club in Brisbane.[5]
Personal
Coungeau married Naoum (Norman) Cougeau at the registry office in Richmond, Victoria on 21 February 1889. They settled in Brisbane and ran a restaurant and wine bar together. Years later they retired to
Bribie Island. Coungeau died in Brisbane on 26 July 1936.[1] Her funeral was held at
St. John’s Cathedral.[6] Her husband died only weeks later on 6 September.[7] There were no children.
Works
Stella Australis: Poems, Verses and Prose Fragments (1914)
Princess Mona: A Romantic Poetical Drama, illustrated by
D. H. Souter (1916)
^"Evolution". The Brisbane Courier. No. 17, 181. Queensland, Australia. 5 February 1913. p. 19 (Courier Home Circle). Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^Brier, Percy; Coungeau, E. (Emily) (1913),
Love's reverie : song, [s.n], retrieved 23 April 2019
^"Family Notices". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 27 July 1936. p. 10 (City Final Last Minute News). Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Grants of Probate". The Telegraph. Queensland, Australia. 18 December 1936. p. 7 (City Final Last Minute News). Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via National Library of Australia.