World renowned writer and historian Professor Geoffrey Blainey is known for his commentary on the social and political history of Australia.
Blainey has had a career spanning an incredible 70 years, with his first assignments as a young man beginning in the 1950’s. He became well known for his writing, and published his first book, The Peaks of Lyell, in 1954. Blainey then embarked on researching and writing a history of his university called The University of Melbourne: A Centenary Portrait. He has now published more than 35 books, covering a huge range of topics from religion and politics, to history and sports. Alongside his own published works he has been a featured writer in numerous publications and also appeared on TV. He was the presenter of The Blainey View, a ten part history of Australia which was broadcast on ABC Television in 1982. As well as his work as a journalist and writer, Blainey has also worked in academia, teaching economic history and later being appointed a professor at the University of Melbourne. He was given the Ernest Scott chair in 1977, and in 1982 was awarded the role of dean of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts. This leading academic’s CV continues with roles on the board of the Melbourne University Press and as the president of the council of Queen’s College for nearly 20 years.
As well as being one of the most well respected writers and academics of his time, Blainey has also delivered considerable public service, with roles on the board of the Commonwealth Literary Fund, as a UNESCO delegate, and as chairman of the Australia Council. He still regularly gives lectures and speeches on historical and social topics, often without the use of notes.
