A man for all seasons
Supporters of the late Max Harris - distinguished poet, writer, journalist, publisher and bookseller - attended a public talk given by his biographer, Dr Betty Snowden, at the last month. Mr Harris, one of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s most celebrated alumni, is credited as "the founding father of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n modernism in the arts". He died in 1995 of prostate cancer. Dr Snowden, art curator in the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n War Memorial in Canberra, once worked for Max Harris in the Mary Martin's Bookshop, a popular gathering place for Adelaide's literary enthusiasts. She recalled the literary giant as a "man of extraordinary intellect and wit". "Max Harris wore many hats. He was insatiably curious and he always questioned the status quo. He was a very private man, but had a wicked sense of humour - and he never followed the beaten track." Mr Harris studied Arts and Economics at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, where he won 20 academic prizes, and was known as a "rebel editor and extremely talented poet," Dr Snowden said. The free public lecture was organised by the Friends of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide Library Chapter of the Alumni Association. Dr Snowden's biography - with the working title of With reason, without rhyme: Max Harris 1921-1995 - will be published within the next 18 months. Story by Candy Gibson
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