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DEATH OF
PROFESSOR
G. V. PORTUS
Professor G. V. Por
tus, former professor of
history and political
science at the University
of Adelaide, died sud
denly at his home at North
Adelaide last night. He
was 72.
Professor Portus had just
returned from a reception
given at the University of
Adelaide to the visiting
Fijian Rugby Union team.
Professor 'Jerry' Portus,
as he was known to many
thousands of Australians,
was one of the most popular
figures in Commonwealth
educational circles.
He also had a brilliant
reputation as an athlete,
having played rugby for
England and having dis-
tinguished himself in
many other fields of
sport.
He was Professor of Poli-
tical Science and History,
at the University of Ade-
laide from 1934 until his re-
tirement in 1948, but he
continued to lecture there
until quite recently.
Author
He was the author of a
number of books on history
and current affairs, and was
particularly noted for his
genius for presenting his-
tory in attractive form to
schoolchildren.
His latest work was his
autobiography, 'Happy
Highways,' published last
year.
Professor Portus was the
son of the late Mr. Henry
D. Portus and was born on
June 7, 1883, at Morpeth,
NSW.
He was educated at St.
Paul's College, University
of Sydney, where he ob-
tained his BA with first
class honors in 1906.
He was Rhodes Scholar
none Help
Professor Portus
for NSW in 1907, and at
New College, Oxford, gained
the degrees of BA, B Litt.,
and MA.
Professor Portus was one
of the strongest supporters
of the League of Nations
Union, and was later on the
Federal Council of the Aus-
tralian Association of the
United Nations.
He gained a reputation as
a lecturer and broadcaster,
and was a member of the
talks advisory committee of
the ABC.
He was also a lifelong
worker in the cause of adult
education.
After his active sporting
career had ended, he took
a keen interest in the ad-
ministrative side of Rugby
Union in Australia, and was
an Australian selector.
Professor Portus is sur
vived by a widow, and one
son, Conciliation Commis
sioner John Portus.
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