Born in Adelaide in 1882, bass-baritone Peter Dawson gained worldwide renown during a career spanning almost 60 years. As a child Dawson sang in the choir of the College Park Congregational Church, St Peters. Although apprenticed to his father as an iron worker and plumber, Dawson was keen to pursue a singing career and he left Adelaide for the UK in 1902.
He returned to Australia during WWI and enlisted in the Army but did not serve overseas. He went back to London at the end of the War to continue his career recording and composing music under a number of pseudonyms including Hector Grant, Will Strong, JP McCall and Alison Miller.
During the 1930s Dawson toured the world extensively, returning to Australia to live in 1939. After entertaining the troops during WWII he had planned to retire but claimed that the size of his tax bill compelled him to go back to work. Dawson's last known performances were recordings made for the ABC in Adelaide in January 1960. He died the following year in Sydney.
Dawson was one of the most prolific recording artists of the 20th century with his total sales exceeded 13 million, covering 3,500 titles. In addition, it is claimed that Dawson sang a more varied repertoire than any other recording artist.
Dawson, Peter, Floral dance by Peter Dawson. State Library of South Australia, accessed 20/08/2026, https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/3588
