Robert Gray was born in 1945 on the north coast of New South Wales and has worked as a book buyer, journalist, advertising copywriter and mail-sorter. He was an early recipient of Australia Council grants, enabling him to travel in China, Japan, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. He has written eight books of poetry and a prize-winning memoir.
Robert received the first Patrick White award, the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal and an Emeritus award from the Australia Council.
He lives in Sydney with his partner Dee Jones.