The University of Queensland

Miss Kathleen Campbell-Brown joined UQ in 1945 as a tutor in French, and for nearly 30 years held numerous academic and administrative positions in the Department of French. She retired as Senior Lecturer in 1973.

Her association with UQ began as a student. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with honours in classics from UQ in 1924 and Master of Arts in 1949. She spent three years in France teaching English and then was senior mistress in French at St Margaret's College in Brisbane before joining the University staff in 1945.

Miss Campbell-Brown was a well-known figure in the academic and social life of the University: she played a major role in helping to establish the UQ Staff and Graduates Club, with the Club’s Kathleen Room named in her honour.

Listen to an interview recorded in 1979 with Kathleen Campbell-Brown, conducted by Professor Mahoney and H.M. Finucan

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

She was strongly dedicated to the interests of her students and colleagues. She held soirees for her students in her home, produced French plays and programs for schools and took part in French broadcasts for the ABC.

Kathleen Campbell-Brown was named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques in 1958 by the French Government which later appointed her Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite in 1967. In 1985 the University commissioned a grotesque to be carved of her. It can be viewed on the Goddard Building near the entrance to the Great Court. She passed away one year later in 1986.