author

May Vivienne

1855–1929

An Australian writer, performer, and journalist remembered for vivid travel books that captured Western and South Australia in the early 1900s. Writing under the pen name May Vivienne, she blended firsthand observation with a lively, accessible style.

1 Audiobook

Travels in Western Australia being a description of the various cities and towns, goldfields, and agricultural districts of that state

Travels in Western Australia being a description of the various cities and towns, goldfields, and agricultural districts of that state

by May Vivienne

About the author

May Vivienne was the pen name of May Vivian Rayner, an Australian author and singer who became known for travel writing about Australia. Contemporary newspaper notices describe her as born in Ballarat, and an obituary published in 1926 says she died in Adelaide in her seventieth year.

She wrote several books, including Travels in Western Australia and Sunny South Australia, works that drew on firsthand experience and helped introduce readers to the cities, goldfields, farming districts, and scenery of those regions. Press coverage from the time also notes her performing career, and mentions that she toured in both Australia and England.

Though not widely known today, her writing offers a clear snapshot of Australia during a period of rapid change, with a strong eye for place and everyday detail. I couldn’t confirm a suitable portrait image from reliable page images during this search, so no profile image is included.