"Trevfest" honours leading war historian

Friday, 14 November 2003

One of the world's leading military historians, Emeritus Professor Trevor Wilson of the University of Adelaide, will be honoured with a two-day symposium held at the University next week (Monday, November 17 and Tuesday, November 18).

The War, Government and Society symposium - also known as the 'Trevfest' - will honour Professor Wilson's contribution to the study of twentieth-century military, political and social history. Professor Wilson joined the University of Adelaide in the 1960s and despite "officially" retiring in 1993, he has continued to teach undergraduate and honours classes and to supervise postgraduate students.

Leading historians from overseas and across Australia will present papers at the symposium, including Dick Geary (University of Nottingham), Roy MacLeod (University of Sydney) and Alan Sykes (St Andrew's University).

A highlight of the symposium will be a free public lecture given by Associate Professor Robin Prior, a former student of Professor Wilson who is now Head of the Australian Defence Force Academy's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Professors Wilson and Prior are co-authors of a number of path-breaking books on the First World War, including Command on the Western Front 1914-1918 and Passchendaele: the Untold Story.

Head of the University of Adelaide's School of History and Politics, Dr Robert Dare, says Professor Wilson's contribution to the field of History has been outstanding, and has brought great distinction to the University of Adelaide over a long and illustrious career.

"His war histories are exceptional for their grasp of military tactics and strategy, their understanding of the larger political and social contexts in which modern wars are fought, and their deep sympathy for the ordinary men and women, at home and at war, who endured the pain, hardship and loss of war," Dr Dare says.

WHAT: Free public lecture by Dr Robin Prior entitled The First World War and the Heroic Image of the Warrior in honour of Professor Trevor Wilson.
WHERE:Napier Lecture Theatre 102, First Floor, Napier Building University of Adelaide North Terrace campus.
WHEN: 5.15pm-6.30pm, Monday, November 17.

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