Chapter 7: Into the Night

In 1961 Crawford wrote to the Bulletin and drew attention to a University staffing matter under the guise of exposing a Communist plot. The subsequent Enquiry into the Social Studies Department conducted by the University divided the academic staff according to their ideological preferences. It caused bitterness unparalleled since the infamous Orr case and 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 including Russel Ward, ASIO's manipulation of the press known as 'Spoiling Operations' and political interference. It would also involve a remarkable group Donald Horne, Geoff Sharp, Sydney Hook, Frank Knopfelmacher, James McAuley, Richard Krygier and Vincent Buckley. The ramifications of the Enquiry were enduring and caused Crawford to retreat from public life and in many ways become more introspective and private. The chapter chronicles Crawford's years in retirement, the honours accorded to him and his legacy.