University of Sydney, 1932-97

Component identifier:

Series 4

Content Summary:

Passmore attended the University of Sydney as a student and lecturer from 1931 to 1949. It was during this time he took philosophy classes with Professor John Anderson and encountered the student Free Thought Society. His university contemporaries included Judith Wright, A. D. Hope, Donald Horne and James McAuley. He graduated in 1934 with a double first, and lectured in literature and philosophy.

John Anderson took up the post of Challis Professor at the University of Sydney in 1927, a position he held until his retirement in 1958. Throughout this period a group of students at the University of Sydney called themselves 'Andersonians' after their teacher. Based on his doctrines, they established themselves as radical critics of governments, authorities and establishments, attacking religion, patriotism and repression, advocating freedom of thought and enquiry.

This series chiefly comprises handwritten and typed drafts of lectures given by Passmore as tutor, lecturer and senior lecturer of philosophy at the University of Sydney. The topics range from Elizabethan plays and poetry to propaganda, metaphysics and sophistry. Other files document Anderson's writings; correspondence between Anderson and Passmore after Passmore took up an appointment at Otago University in New Zealand; newspaper cuttings following the controversy surrounding Anderson's exercise of free speech outside the lecture room; and several drafts of an article by Passmore on his former teacher.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The philosopher John Passmore donated his papers to the National Library in two instalments in 1988 and March 1998 under the Taxation Incentive for the Arts Scheme, (renamed in 1997 as the Cultural Gifts Program.)

Names:

Passmore, Annie

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