John Sandes (1863 – 1938) was an Australian poet, journalist and author of several early classic adventures, writing as Don Delaney. Born in Ireland he arrived in Melbourne in 1887 and joined the staff of the Argus. In 1903 he moved to Manly and joined the Daily telegraph, and began writing tales Australian life in the 1850s to 1880s – bushranging, gold prospecting and sporting life – mostly under the name Don Delaney, shows Australia’s democratic and aristocratic values. Delaney was an old family name associated with the gold towns of Sofala and Bathurst. His other books include Gentleman Jack, Bushranger, The Captain of the Gang, and The White Champion : The Australian Ring.
