Into the night

This article examines the Social Studies Affair, a controversy that erupted in 1961 when the venerated historian, Max Crawford wrote to the Bulletin and drew attention to a University staffing matter under the guise of exposing a Communist plot. What followed was a prolonged and, at times, vicious debate about intellectual freedom. The case exposed the prevailing Cold War obsession with communism, the various campaigns against ‘suspect’ academics and ASIO's manipulation of the press. It would also involve a remarkable and influential group including Donald Horne, Sydney Hook, Frank Knopfelmacher and Vincent Buckley.