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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Geoffrey Blainey

Geoffrey Norman Blainey is an Australian historian, author, and professor born in March 1930. He was once known as the 鈥榤ost prolific and controversial living Australian historian鈥� and has been given similar names by historians such as John Hirst.

Norman was born in Melbourne, Victoria where he attended school at Wesley College. During his college years, Geoffrey was an editor of the University Student Union newspaper. He wrote The University of Melbourne: A centenary Portrait (1956) as a historical tribute to his university.  

Blainey is known for his impact on the economy and social history of Australia. He was a professor at the University of Melbourne and wrote for newspapers and television networks.

Geoffrey was the chairman of notable organizations such as the National Council for the Centenary of Federation, the Australia-China Council, and the Queen鈥檚 College Council. He represented Australia at the first UNESCO conference held in Asia (1973).

Blainey has several accolades to his name. He was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia in 1975 for his impactful influence on Australian literature, The Companion of The Order of Australia of 2000 for his service to academia, and the 2001 Centenary medal for his service to the Centenary of Federation.

1. Geoffrey Published His First Book In His Early Twenties

Open book. Photo By Pexels –

Blainey鈥檚 first book The Peaks of Lyell (1954) was the research topic for his Master鈥檚 in Arts thesis. He traveled to Tasmania to study the history of Mount Lyell, the West Coast mining company that dominated the copper industry at the time.

Geoffrey was 24 years when he published the book. The publication is one of few historical books to have 6 editions since its first publication.

2. His Approach To Writing Was Imaginative

Blainey was a talented narrator and writer. He enjoyed writing from observing his environment and creativity. His fellow writers describe him as 鈥榠ntelligent, observant, open-minded, and gregarious鈥�

A Short History of The World (2000) is one of the notable books where his creativity is depicted. The book gives an account of 4 million years of historical civilizations and the rise of Islam and Buddhism. Blainey did not exist during this era hence his use of imagination to put the story pieces together.

3. Blainey Is The Author Of Over 40 Books

Blainey has a collection of numerous books to his name the most prominent being A Story History of The World (2000). Aside from history, Geoffrey wrote books on sports, social conflicts, religion, and politics.  

The storyline of The Cause of War (1973) was based on two centuries of human conflict, A Short History of Christianity (2011) spoke on the history of Christianity while The Great Seesaw examined Western society鈥檚 optimism and pessimism in the late 1700s.  

After uncovering new findings, Blainey revised Triumph of the Nomads (1975) and A Land Half Won (1980) under the name The Story of Australia鈥檚 People: Rise and Fall of Ancient Australia (Volume 1 and 2).

4. Geoffrey Served As The Chairman At The University of Melbourne For Nearly 2 Decades

Queen’s College, University of Melbourne. Photo By Donaldytong –

Blainey first began teaching at the University of Melbourne in 1961. He was a lecturer in economic history before becoming a professor. In the early 1970s, Geoffrey was the deputy dean of the Economic Faculty.

In 1982, he was appointed dean of Melbourne鈥檚 Faculty of Arts. He was appointed president of the council of Queen鈥檚 College in the University of Melbourne and served from 1971 until 1989.

To honor Blainey鈥檚 contribution to the University, an economic history scholarship program was established and named after him.

5. He Was One Of Five To Be Awarded A Gold Medal By The United Nations

United Nation Icon. Photo By Miguel 脕. Padri帽谩n –

Blainey alongside John Kenneth and Octavio Paz received gold medals for their contribution to the history, economy, and literature of their respective countries. The 鈥淓xcellence In Dissemination Of Knowledge for the Benefit of Mankind鈥� Award was presented by the United Nations in 1988.

 Geoffrey鈥檚 book, The Cause of War was said to be an additional reason for receiving the award.

6. Blainey Is Listed As One Of Australia鈥檚 Living Treasures

Geoffrey is named as one of the 73 people on The National Living Treasures list. He and Henry Reynolds are the only historians on the list. The status is given to popularly voted Australians who have made a significant impact on the country鈥檚 society.

7. His Wife Was An Internationally Recognized Biographer

Geoffrey married Ann Heriot in 1957. Being the author of four outstanding books, Ann was recognized for her substantial contribution to literature.

Ann鈥檚 book I Am Melba was the most popular book in the 2009 State Library of Victoria Summer Reads Program. In the same year, it was awarded the National Biography Award for the best-published work of biography.

8. Geoffrey Was The Brains Behind ‘The Blainey View’ Television Series

Old TV Set. Photo By Pexels –

The Blainey View (1982) was a ten-part show written by Geoffrey and narrated by Graham Kennedy. The script was derived from a series of essays that were written for the Australian broadcasting network, ABC. So far, it stands as the network鈥檚 most ambitious venture.

The series was based on Geoffrey鈥檚 view on major influential events such as the First and Second World Wars. It was aired from 1982 to 1983.

9. He Served In The Advisory Board Of The Commonwealth Literary Fund

In 1967, Geoffrey was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Literary Fund (CLF) advisory board by Prime Minister Harold Holt. The Literary Fund was the first systematic support for commercial and non-commercial literary projects. It was focused on providing financial aid to challenged writers and their families.

The board members who served alongside Blainey were long-established writers namely Archibald Grenfell Price, Flora Sydney Patricia, and Douglas Stewart. The Literature Board took over CLF and Blainey was inaugurated as the chairman of the Board Council.

10. Geoffrey Was A Columnist For Broadsheet Newspapers And Magazines

Between 1970 and 1990, Geoffrey wrote for common Australian Newspapers. He was a columnist for Melbourne Herald, The Australasia, and Melbourne Age. Aside from newspapers, Geoffrey also often wrote for national journals and magazines such as Sydney Bulletin and Australian Business Monthly.