Department of Education

Francis Anderson, professor of Philosophy, was prominent in the initial moves for recognition of a more formalised and structured approach to the teaching of education as a discipline. These moves commenced in 1901.

In 1909, Alexander Mackie was appointed Lecturer in Education, and first Professor in 1910. This was, in effect, a part-time appointment, Mackie being the Principal of Sydney Teachers College concurrently. He was followed in this dual role in 1940 by Christopher Ralph McRae. In 1948, McRae was appointed first full time Professor in Education, a post he held until 1955. In 1955, William Fraser Connell was appointed Professor. The second Chair was appointed in 1968, being Donald Spearritt. Further Chairs were those of Clifford Turney in 1976, Samuel Ball in 1978 and John Cleverley in 1987.

In January 1986 the Faculty of Education was created.