Enid Campbell
Encyclopedia
Professor Enid Mona Campbell, AC
, OBE
(30 October 1932 – 20 January 2010) was an Australian legal scholar, and was the first female professor and Dean of a law school in Australasia
. She is known for her work on constitutional law
and administrative law
, as well as her contribution to legal education.
, Tasmania
, on 30 October 1932, to Neil and Mona Campbell, she was educated at Launceston's Methodist Ladies' College
, where she was Dux
. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Laws
and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania
. She graduated with first class honours, winning the University Medall as top of her class. Upon graduating in 1955, she won a scholarship
to undertake a PhD at Duke University
in the United States. Her doctoral studies at Duke examined the work of 19th Century legal philosopher John Austin, a thesis which enabled her to discuss the law from the perspectives of political philosophy, international law and comparative politics.
and the University of Sydney
. It was during this period that she began her lifetime of distinguished research in the law. Her first book, Parliamentary Privilege in Australia (1966), is considered the classic text of its field, and is still printed and widely published today. It established her as by far the leading Australian scholar in the field. Her first major textbook, Legal Research: Methods and Materials, now in its fourth edition, is sometimes referred to as the "student bible" on legal research in Australia.
Campbell's work in the 1960s focussed on freedom and rights in Australia, an area that had previously received little academic attention. She co-authored the influential book Freedom in Australia with Professor Harry Whitmore, which was the first full assessment of the topic by legal scholars. In 1967, Campbell was appointed Sir Isaac Isaacs
Professor of Law at Monash University
. This made her the first woman to hold a Chair in Law at any university in Australasia. In 1971, she was appointed Dean of Monash Law School
- the first female Dean of any law school in Australasia. As a leading scholar in a field traditionally dominated by men, she was said to be an inspiration for young women studying the law, and some of her first students included Mary Gaudron
(first female Justice of the High Court of Australia
) and Marilyn Warren
(first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria
).
For 30 years, Campbell was at the forefront of legal research, constitutional law
and administrative law
. She published numerous books and over 100 journal articles and papers. She served on several important bodies investigating law reform in Australia, including the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission of 1987, the Royal Commission
on Government Administration in Australia in 1974, and the Constitutional Commission for the Australian Bicentennial.
She received a range of major awards in recognition of her contribution to the law. In 1979, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire
and, more recently, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia
, the highest honour that can be given to an Australian citizen. In 1971, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. She was also awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Tasmania
, the University of Sydney
and Monash University
. In 2005, the Federation Press published Law and Government in Australia: Essays in Honour of Enid Campbell to recognise her outstanding contribution to Australian legal research.
Campbell officially retired from Monash University
in 1997, after 30 years of service. She remained an Emeritus Professor at the University, however, and continued to release publications. She died in Melbourne on 20 January 2010. She has been described by former Prime Minister of Australia
Gough Whitlam
as having lived 'an exceptional intellectual life' and being 'a public law scholar of the highest distinction'.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(30 October 1932 – 20 January 2010) was an Australian legal scholar, and was the first female professor and Dean of a law school in Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
. She is known for her work on constitutional law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
and administrative law
Administrative law
Administrative law is the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of government. Government agency action can include rulemaking, adjudication, or the enforcement of a specific regulatory agenda. Administrative law is considered a branch of public law...
, as well as her contribution to legal education.
Early life
Born in LauncestonLaunceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, on 30 October 1932, to Neil and Mona Campbell, she was educated at Launceston's Methodist Ladies' College
Scotch Oakburn College
Scotch Oakburn College is an independent, Uniting Church, co-educational, day and boarding school, located in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.Although founded in 1886, the present school was established in 1979 with the amalgamation of the historically boys' Scotch College and girls' Oakburn College...
, where she was Dux
Dux
Dux is Latin for leader and later for Duke and its variant forms ....
. She went on to obtain a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
and a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
. She graduated with first class honours, winning the University Medall as top of her class. Upon graduating in 1955, she won a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
to undertake a PhD at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in the United States. Her doctoral studies at Duke examined the work of 19th Century legal philosopher John Austin, a thesis which enabled her to discuss the law from the perspectives of political philosophy, international law and comparative politics.
Professional career
She returned to Australia in 1959 to teach law at the University of TasmaniaUniversity of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
and the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
. It was during this period that she began her lifetime of distinguished research in the law. Her first book, Parliamentary Privilege in Australia (1966), is considered the classic text of its field, and is still printed and widely published today. It established her as by far the leading Australian scholar in the field. Her first major textbook, Legal Research: Methods and Materials, now in its fourth edition, is sometimes referred to as the "student bible" on legal research in Australia.
Campbell's work in the 1960s focussed on freedom and rights in Australia, an area that had previously received little academic attention. She co-authored the influential book Freedom in Australia with Professor Harry Whitmore, which was the first full assessment of the topic by legal scholars. In 1967, Campbell was appointed Sir Isaac Isaacs
Isaac Isaacs
Sir Isaac Alfred Isaacs GCB GCMG KC was an Australian judge and politician, was the third Chief Justice of Australia, ninth Governor-General of Australia and the first born in Australia to occupy that post. He is the only person ever to have held both positions of Chief Justice of Australia and...
Professor of Law at Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
. This made her the first woman to hold a Chair in Law at any university in Australasia. In 1971, she was appointed Dean of Monash Law School
Monash University Faculty of Law
Monash University Faculty of Law, or Monash Law School, is the law school of Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria. Established in 1963, it offers the LLB, J.D., LLM, S.J.D., LLD and PhD degrees in law. It has been ranked as one of the top 20 law schools in the world...
- the first female Dean of any law school in Australasia. As a leading scholar in a field traditionally dominated by men, she was said to be an inspiration for young women studying the law, and some of her first students included Mary Gaudron
Mary Gaudron
Mary Genevieve Gaudron, AC, QC , Australian lawyer and judge, was the first female Justice of the High Court of Australia.-Youth:...
(first female Justice of the High Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
) and Marilyn Warren
Marilyn Warren
Marilyn Louise Warren AC, QC is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Lieutenant Governor of Victoria.- Early life :...
(first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1852, and is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited jurisdiction within the state...
).
For 30 years, Campbell was at the forefront of legal research, constitutional law
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
and administrative law
Administrative law
Administrative law is the body of law that governs the activities of administrative agencies of government. Government agency action can include rulemaking, adjudication, or the enforcement of a specific regulatory agenda. Administrative law is considered a branch of public law...
. She published numerous books and over 100 journal articles and papers. She served on several important bodies investigating law reform in Australia, including the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission of 1987, the Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
on Government Administration in Australia in 1974, and the Constitutional Commission for the Australian Bicentennial.
She received a range of major awards in recognition of her contribution to the law. In 1979, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
and, more recently, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, the highest honour that can be given to an Australian citizen. In 1971, she was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. She was also awarded a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Tasmania
University of Tasmania
The University of Tasmania is a medium-sized public Australian university based in Tasmania, Australia. Officially founded on 1 January 1890, it was the fourth university to be established in nineteenth-century Australia...
, the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
and Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
. In 2005, the Federation Press published Law and Government in Australia: Essays in Honour of Enid Campbell to recognise her outstanding contribution to Australian legal research.
Campbell officially retired from Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
in 1997, after 30 years of service. She remained an Emeritus Professor at the University, however, and continued to release publications. She died in Melbourne on 20 January 2010. She has been described by former Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
as having lived 'an exceptional intellectual life' and being 'a public law scholar of the highest distinction'.
Publications
For more than 30 years, Campbell published widely in various areas of law. Some of her major publications include:- The Australian Judiciary / Enid Campbell & H.P. Lee (2001)
- Australian law schools: a discipline assessment for the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission / Dennis Pearce, Enid Campbell, Don Harding (1987)
- Contempt of royal commissions / Enid Campbell (c1984)
- Freedom in Australia / Enid Campbell & Harry Whitmore (1966)
- Legal research : materials and methods / Enid Campbell, Lee Poh-York, Joycey Tooher (1996)
- Liability of public authorities / Enid Campbell (1985)
- Parliamentary privilege / Enid Campbell (2003)
- The prerogative power of dissolution : some recent Tasmanian precedents / Enid Campbell (1962)
- Presentation of legal theses / Enid Campbell (1978)
- Rules of court: a study of rule-making powers and procedures / Enid Campbell (1985)
- Well and truly tried: essays on evidence, in honour of Sir Richard Eggleston / edited by Enid Campbell and Louis Waller assisted by Gretchen Kewley (1982)