Historical information

This book has been written by Walter Murdoch while he was living in Warrnambool in 1903. Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970) had a distinguished academic career and became Australia’s best-known essayist. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in many Australian newspapers. In 1901 Walter Murdoch came to Warrnambool going into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Warrnambool Grammar School previously run by John Stanley. When Scott retired Murdoch became the sole owner and headmaster of the school. While in Warrnambool Murdoch wrote the school history textbook ‘The Struggle for Freedom’ which covers British constitutional history and has chapters on Australian government at all levels, including the new Federal Government. In 1904 Murdoch left Warrnambool to take up a lecturing position in English at Melbourne University. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him. During his lifetime Murdoch published over 40 works and he was knighted in 1964.

Significance

This book is of major significance as it was written by the distinguished writer and academic Walter Murdoch whilst he was working in Warrnambool. The address at the end of the book’s Preface is ‘The College, Warrnambool’ and the date is ‘October 7th 1903’. The book sold 10,000 copies in its first year. This copy of the book ‘The Struggle for Freedom’ was owned by a member of the Goodall family, a name prominent in Warrnambool’s history. The stamp of the stationer Walter Davies shows that it was originally bought at a well-known local Warrnambool bookstore.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book of 248 pages. It has a dark red cover with black printed material and a Whitcombe and Tombs logo. The cover is torn near the spine and there is much foxing. The book contains a Preface, Contents pages, an Introductory chapter, 28 other chapters on the development of Government in Britain and the Federation of Australia and an Index. There are some black and white photographs and some sketches.

Inscriptions & markings

Inside front cover and on page edges: ‘T. Goodall, (changed to ‘E’ in one place) S.School Warrnambool’
Inside front cover: Stamp of Walter Davies, Warrnambool Bookseller