Patrick White was the first Australian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which put Australian literature on the international map. Because of its status as a British colony until 1901, Australian literature for a long time was considered to be a part of the broader tradition of British literature. Since the 18th century, however, there has been a marked body of Australian work exploring similar themes, including nationality, migration, Aboriginality, and the specifics of the nation's geography and landscape. While most internationally known Australian authors come from one of the major cities, there is also a distinctive body of work written on the Australian Outback.
Some Australian writers who have gained, alongside White, international renown include: Christina Stead, David Malouf, Peter Carey, Bradley Trevor Greive, Thomas Keneally, Colleen McCullough, Nevil Shute, and Morris West.
