Chancellors
The Hon Sir William Portus Cullen KCMG
The Hon Sir William Portus Cullen KCMG (1855 - 1935) was a Fellow of Senate from 1896 to 1934, Vice-Chancellor from 1909 to 1911 and Chancellor from 1914 to 1934.
Biography
MA LLB LLD Syd
Fellow of Senate: 1896-1934
Vice-Chancellor: 1909-1911
Chancellor: 1914-1934
William Portus Cullen was born near Jamberoo in New South Wales. He attended a school in nearby Kiama, but it was only after he moved to Sydney at the age of 20 that the opportunity for further education arose. Professor Charles Badham persuaded him to sit for a scholarship to the University. He was successful and graduated BA in 1880 with first class honours in classics, having been awarded other prizes and scholarships during his course. He then went on to graduate MA in 1882, LLB in 1885 and LLD in 1887.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1883 and established a substantial practice, specialising in real property and equity. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1891-94 and the Legislative Council from 1895-1910. Cullen was a strong nationalist and advocate of the Australian Federation. He was an adviser to (Sir) George Reid when the agreement on Federation was reached in 1899.
Cullen’s career at the Bar thrived after the opening of the High Court of Australia. He was appointed King’s Counsel in 1905 and was recognised as being in the first ranking of barristers practising there. In 1910, he was appointed Chief Justice of New South Wales and served in the position until his retirement in 1925. He also served as Lieutenant-Governor until 1930.
Cullen was elected as a Fellow of the Senate of the University in 1896. He was acting Dean of the Faculty of Law in 1897. Cullen served as Vice-Chancellor from 1908-11 and Chancellor from 1914-34, a record term at the time.
The biographical notes on the Chancellors contain information derived from a variety of sources including: Australia’s First: A History of the University of Sydney; University News; University of Sydney Archives; and Lawlink NSW: Law and History.
Further information is available from the Australian Dictionary of Biography and the Supreme Court of NSW.
Senate resolution 1934
The following resolution having reference to the retiring Chancellor (The Hon. Sir William Portus Cullen, K.C.M.G.), was adopted at the regular meeting of the Senate in December 1934:-
On the retirement of Sir William Cullen, K.C.M.G., the Senate desires to record its warm appreciation of his faithful and distinguished service during the long period of the 38 years that he has been a Fellow of the 'Senate and the 20 that he has been Chancellor. It sincerely regrets that his health compels him to sever his official connection with the University, which he has loved so well, and in the life of which he has taken so large and influential a share, a share that will long be gratefully remembered by all who have had the privilege of benefiting by his guidance. It hopes that he may be spared many years to enjoy his well-earned and honourable leisure after a career of such public usefulness to the University and the State.
From the Report of the Senate for the year ended 31 December 1934, page 871, 1935 Calendar