Historical information

This is a collection of essays written by Walter Logie Forbes Murdoch (1874-1970). He had a distinguished academic and literary career and is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest essayists. He was a household name to two generations of Australians through his radio broadcasts and syndicated literary columns in several Australian newspapers. Murdoch came to Warrnambool in 1901 as the proprietor of a private school. He left Warrnambool to take up a position at Melbourne University as an English lecturer. He went on to become the foundation Professor of English at the University of Western Australia and was later its Chancellor. Murdoch University in Western Australia is named after him and he was knighted in 1964. He published over 40 books.

Significance

This book is of interest as an example of the literary works of Walter Murdoch, a distinguished literary figure in Australian history and a person who has his place also in Warrnambool’s history. He came to Warrnambool in 1901, going into partnership with James Scott, the proprietor of Warrnambool College. They bought out Stanley’s Warrnambool Grammar School and when Scott retired Murdoch became the sole proprietor and Headmaster of the school. While he in Warrnambool Murdoch continued to write and published in Warrnambool the school text book, ‘The Struggle For Freedom’. He left Warrnambool in 1904.

Physical description

This is a hard cover book of 186 pages. It has a blue cover which is slightly faded at the top of the spine. It has a dust cover in beige tonings with the title of the book and the author’s name on the spine and the same details on the front cover (beige printing on a maroon background). The front cover has a thin maroon line as an edging and the back dust cover features an advertisement for another Walter Murdoch publication. The book has a Preface, 31 chapters of short essays and an Index. The dust cover is frayed at the edges and discoloured on the spine.