The Orr Case, 1953-1977

Containers:

Box 27-29

Component identifier:

Series 15

Content Summary:

This series comprises a substantial group of papers relating to Sydney Stanley Orr. In 1952 Orr was appointed Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tasmania. In 1956, following allegations of misconduct, he was dismissed from his position. Orr subsequently campaigned for his reinstatement, eventually taking the step of suing the university for alleged wrongful dismissal. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in late 1956 where his claim was dismissed. A subsequent appeal to the High Court of Australia upheld this finding. After this date, Orr was unable to secure any other academic appointment.

The papers have been retained in their original files and they include numerous typed statements, many setting out Orr's own recollections of incidents relating to the case. The bulk of the papers pre-date Orr's death in 1966, with a small group of more recent papers having been interleaved with older papers in one of the files, presumably by West. It appears that West acquired the papers through Bob Ellicott, QC, as part of his research for an unrealised book about the case.

As well as the files, there are two volumes of transcripts of the High Court hearing:- Volume IX: Notes of Evidence, Judgment, Notice of Appeal/Affidavit and Exhibits (part 1)and Volume X: Exhibits (part 2). There are also two audio cassette tapes annotated 'Fact Opinion made in 1971 but not broadcast...Orr reading various epilogues, Jan. 21, 1947'; and 'Program In Retrospect b/cast Perth 1976/77'.

(Files 1-11)

Immediate source of acquisition:

Approximately half the collection was acquired from West in a number of instalments under the Cultural Gifts Program during the period 1983 to 1992. A further large instalment of papers was donated to the Library in 2001 by West's widow, Joy, following his death in 1999. Two smaller additions were received in 2016 and 2018 from West's family.

Subjects:

Literature
Theology

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