Herbert Heaton: A Scholar ‘Exiled’ from Australia

Abstract

In 1925 Herbert Heaton, an economic historian at the University of Adelaide, unable to obtain promotion, significant pay increases, or another academic position in Australia, left for Queens University in Canada. Heaton, an internationally known scholar, a popular teacher, and author of a book about Australian economic history, was doomed to Australian academic failure. His papers, deposited in the Archives of the University of Minnesota, offer insights into how the Workers’ Educational Association, the extreme fear of economics as a source of ‘radical’ thinking, nationalism, and academic organisation led to the collapse of his Australian career.