Chancellors
Sir Mungo William MacCallum KCSG
Sir Mungo William MacCallum KCSG (1854 - 1942) was Chairman, Professorial Board in 1894, a Fellow of Senate from 1898 to 1914 and from 1916 to 1936, Vice-Chancellor from 1924 to 1928, Deputy Chancellor from 1928 to 1934 and Chancellor from 1934 to 1936.
Biography
MA Glas HonDLitt Oxf LLD
Chairman, Professorial Board: 1894
Fellow of Senate: 1898 - 1914, 1916 - 1936
Vice-Chancellor: 1924 - 1928
Deputy Chancellor: 1928 - 1934
Chancellor: 1934 - 1936
Sir Mungo William MacCallum was educated at High School, Glasgow and the University of Glasgow where he graduated MA in 1877, excelling in classics, philosophy and literature. Awarded the Luke Fellowship in Humanities, he studied further at Glasgow and later studied medieval literature at the Universities of Berlin and Leipzig.
In 1879, MacCallum was appointed Professor of English Literature at the University College of Wales. In 1886, he was appointed the Foundation Professor of Modern Language and Literature at the University of Sydney.
MacCallum arrived in Sydney in 1887 to take up his post at a time when the University was not only expanding in professional training, but in the Faculty of Arts as a result of the generous Challis bequest. However, the focus of the Faculty on languages had in recent times tended to be on their utility. As an ardent exponent of the benefits of a liberal arts education, particularly the study of literature, he developed the teaching of English literature to a high standard. He also assisted in the development of the teaching of French and German literature. By 1892, honours schools were introduced.
MacCallum was committed to making the university accessible to the general community and gave frequent extension lectures to the wider community. He was also keen to impress the traditions of the University on the student body. In 1897, he became president of the Sydney University Union.
In 1898, he became Dean of the Faculty of Arts, an office he held until 1919, and an ex officio Fellow of the Senate. He retired from these administrative duties in 1920, but became honorary Professor of English Literature and continued to lecture. He was the first Vice-Chancellor in 1924 appointed under the new executive arrangements, acting in the position until 1928. In 1928 he was elected Deputy Chancellor, serving until 1934, and was Chancellor from 1934-36.
In addition to his teaching and administrative expertise, MacCallum made significant scholarly contributions in the field of English literature. His prodigious writings brought him world renown, particularly in the field of Shakespearean scholarship. The MacCallum Building commemorates his name.
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.
Senate resolution 1936
At the conclusion of the regular meeting of the Senate held on 2nd November, 1936, Sir Mungo MacCallum announced his resignation as Chancellor and Fellow of the Senate as from 5th December, 1936.
The Senate decided to hold a special meeting and to ask Sir Mungo to attend to hear expressions of goodwill and to place on record an expression of appreciation of his long and outstanding service to the University.
The special meeting was held on Monday, 16th November, 1936.
His Honor Judge Backhouse moved the following resolution:-
"It is with the greatest regret that the Senate hears of the announcement by Sir Mungo MacCallum of his resignation of the office of Chancellor. His connexion with the University is remarkable; he has held many positions, and in the discharge of the duties of each of them he has won distinction. Not only has he aided the University in a wonderful way, but he has, outside his ordinary work, done much to help on education. As a parting wish, the Senate expresses the hope that he and his helpmeet, Lady MacCallum, also a good friend of the University, may continue their usefulness and enjoy the best that life can afford."
In speaking to the motion, Judge Backhouse said that, during his connexion over a period of fifty years with the University, Sir Mungo MacCallum had filled most distinguished posts in the University and he had ibeen the first Vice-Chancellor appointed under the new constitution. Sir Mungo MacCallum had discharged the duties of Chancellor in a most efficient and courteous manner. Lady MacCallum and Sir Mungo had endeared themselves to all members and friends of the University for their activities both within and without the University. Judge Backhouse went on to say that he hoped Sir Mungo would reconsider his decision to resign as a Fellow of the Senate.
Mr. Leverrier, in seconding the motion, referred to the extraordinarily valuable services rendered by Sir Mungo MacCallum to the University. In all the offices he had held, his one aim had been to work for the University, and the University owed him a great debt of gratitude.
The Vice-Chancellor, in supporting the motion, said that his friendship for Sir Mungo extended over a period of twenty-four years. Since his assumption of the office of Vice-Chancellor, he had come into closer contact with Sir Mungo and had found his kindly advice and wisdom of great assistance in his work. Nothing had occurred to mar their friendship, and he regretted the severance of their official relations.
Sir John Peden said that he spoke as the oldest representative of the Teaching Staff on the Senate, and one who had been a student of Sir Mungo in 1889 and succeeding years, and that he also spoke for all students and members of the Teaching Staff when he said that they had the utmost affection for Sir Mungo as a teacher and a man.
Professor Todd said that, in speaking as the representative of the Faculty over which Sir Mungo had presided for many years, he considered that Sir Mungo had brought lustre on the University and enhanced its name in view of his wide scholarship. He expressed the hope that Sir Mungo would postpone his resignation as a Fellow of the Senate.
The resolution was adopted unanimously and with acclamation by the Fellows.
The Chancellor, who spoke with great feeling in thanking the Fellows for the resolution, said that his decision to resign the Chancellorship and Fellowship was of long standing; otherwise,
he might have been persuaded to reconsider it. His health had been indifferent for some months, and he regretted that he must allow his resignation as Chancellor and Fellow to stand. He said that nearly fifty years had elapsed since he first received notice of his appointment to the University. He had first been appointed a Fellow in 1898. He had seen many changes in the University, and felt sure that he would have pleasure in watching its expansion and progress under the wise direction of the Senate. He expressed his gratitude to the Fellows for the goodwill and support they had shown him during his period of office as Chancellor, and said that he considered the calling of a special meeting an act of signal courtesy.
Sir Mungo MacCallum's association with Sydney University dates back to 1886, when he was appointed to the Chair of Modern Literature. Subsequently he served as Dean of his Faculty, Fellow of the Senate, Acting Warden, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor and Chancellor respectively. He was appointed Chancellor upon the retirement of the late Sir William Oullen at the end of 1934. His great gifts of scholarship, eloquence, and counsel have won for him a high place among the builders of British Universities.
From the Senate report for the year ended 31 December 1936, pages 1010-1012, 1937 Calendar