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Old Study table with book and glass. Photo By Dariusz Sankowski –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Manning Clark

Charles Manning Hope Clark (1915-1991) was an Australian Historian who was born in Burwood, Sydney. His father, Charles William Clark, was an English-born clergyman who married Catherine Amelia Hope with whom he had three children.

During his teenage years, Manning’s family constantly moved between New South Wales and Victoria but decided to settle in Mentone Victoria in 1934. Because of his modest background, Clark was bullied in school. He grew up disliking children from Melbourne’s upper class.

Clark was the first appointed Professor of History in Australia. He wore the badge for 3 years before his retirement in 1974. After his retirement, he retained his honorary and was given the title ‘Emeritus Professor.

Manning was an influential intellectual in the late 20^th century. He was named Australian of the Year in 1980 and wrote critical historical essays for the press during Australia’s bicentenary year. He was a foundation fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and in 1988 was elected a foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Science.

Clark died at the age of 76 in Canberra. He was remembered as a great icon and is commemorated throughout Australia with streets, portraits, and historical centres named after him.

1. He Was Awarded A Scholarship For His College Education

Trinity College, University of Melbourne. Photo By Biatch -W

As a student, Manning uncovered his interest in literature and classics. He became an outstanding British-European history student and was awarded a scholarship to Trinity College at the University of Melbourne.

Clark proceeded to pursue history and political science as his undergraduate. He continued to excel, and his great performance earned him first-class honors and consecutively a scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford in 1937.

2. Manning Was Denied An Opportunity To Join The Military Service

Clarks’ fiancé, Hilma Dymphna, received a scholarship to study the German language and culture in Bonn, England. Both Clark and Hilma moved to England in 1938 and got married a year afterward.

While in England, Manning gained interest in joining the military. His application was rejected due to his epileptic condition. Clark opted to continue his master’s in arts whilst teaching but returned to Australia before its completion.

3. He Gained Recognition As An Outstanding Lecturer

In 1944, Manning was appointed lecturer in political science at the University of Melbourne. He was transferred to the History Department in 1945 under the supervision and guidance of Max Crawford, a leading Australian historian.

Manning was appointed professor of history at Canberra University College in 1949, now known as Australian National University. His way of teaching was exceptional intergrading self-dramatization in his lectures hence his recognition as an outstanding lecturer.

4. Manning’s Books Became The Bedrock of Australian History

Manning Clark’s desk in his Canberra home. Photo By Adam Carr –

At the time Manning was serving as a lecturer, the historical map of Australia had little to no information. Manning’s knowledge formed the basis of the Australian History coursework. His books History of Australia (1962-87), Select Documents in Australia History (Volume 1 and 2), The Discovery of Australia (1976), and A Short History of Australia (1963) were the foundations of university programs in Australian History.

After Manning’s death, additional volumes of speeches, letters, autobiographical writings, and history were published.

5. One of His Books Was Made Into A Musical

A History of Australia series is one of Manning’s most recognized writings. Manning’s approach to writing was melodramatic with biblical quotations and sentimental writings about his characters.

In 1988, the six-volume series was made into a musical Manning Clark: The Musical as a celebration of the Australia bicentenary. The Tim Robertson production was an interweave of Manning’s life (1915-1988) and Australia’s history (1788 -1915).

6. Clark Led The Greatest Constitutional Crisis In Australian History

Gough Whitlam. Photo By Australian Conservation Foundation –

Clark Munning, Patrick White, and Donald Horne led a campaign against Sir John Kerr and Malcolm Frase, governor and Liberal Prime Minister of the Australian government. The campaign also known as the Dismissal was the greatest political crisis in the history of Australia. He and his colleagues held a campaign aimed to influence the government to include a statutory law on the public reelection of Prime Ministers.

Manning was in public alliance with Prime Minister Gough Whitlam whom he had campaigned for in the 1972 and 1974 elections. Gough’s unforeseen dismal from office and the consecutive appointment of Malcolm Fraser by Governor General Kerr fueled the beginning of the constitutional crisis.

7. He Practiced Acting Shortly After His Retirement

Being an important figure in Australian history, Manning was invited to numerous Australia Day events, exhibitions, and music festivals. He launched several books, opened art exhibitions, and endorsed rock bands. Clark also appeared on media sites and programs.

In 1985, Clark took part in Bliss, a comedy-drama film based on a novel by Peter Carey. In the film, he played a cameo as a preacher.

8. Manning’s Public Life Degraded His Physical And Mental Health

Clark had a demanding life being one of the Australian influential and important figures. His life in the public eye was detrimental to his health. He was physical and mentally exhausted and underwent heart surgery in 1983.

Clark battled hypochondria and depression. Suffered mental Illness

9. Clark’s Literature Work Was Controversial And Even Disowned By His Own Publisher

The year 1993 saw Clark’s numerous works met with opposition and controversies from liberal and conservative academics. Clark’s former publisher at Melbourne University Press, Peter Ryan, claimed that publishing his work was a disgrace to the history of Australia. Peter said Clark’s historical accounts were of poor quality and accused him of being a fraud.

Manning’s works were under scrutiny for rejecting British heritage and were seen as a way of only commemorating black history. The Courier–Mail Newspaper accused Clark of being a Soviet Union spy despite there being no evidence on the same.

10.   His Home Was Transformed Into An Intellectual Enterprise

Manning Clark house, 11 Tasmania Circle, Forrest, Australian Capital Territory. Photo By Grahamec –

Clark’s home in Canberra was preserved for visiting scholars and researchers. The home became an intellectual enterprise after Clark’s family died. It is also seen as a place for creativity and encouragement of ideas.

10. The Infamous Manning Portrait By Neville Dawson Has Been Missing For 5 Years

Neville Dawson painted Clark’s portrait as an Archibald Prize submission in 1983. He later presented it as a gift to the Australian National University. The painting was nicknamed Manning Clark’s Creepy hand since it looked like Clark’s hand was larger than his body and was reaching out of the painting.

 The portrait gained massive recognition after being moved to Manning Clerk Centre. The center was demolished in 2017 and since then, the portrait is yet to be seen.