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Andrew Inglis Clark

Clark has long had admirers, nationally and locally, among democrats and republicans. The recent debate over the Republic refocused attention on his conception of the legally independent Commonwealth, and his constitutional thinking has become more rather than less influential in federal jurisprudence.

There is now broad agreement that his role in Federation more than justifies Sir William Deane’s description of him ‘as the primary architect of our constitution’. Still, he deserves to be better known and appropriately commemorated in his home-state. The unassuming headstone which once marked his grave stands at the corner of Nelson Rd and Peel St as his only tangible memorial.

Clark's books of essays

Some of Clark's books of essays. View larger photo

In 1991 a conference on Clark’s contribution to Australian democracy was organised by Marcus Haward and James Warden, and the papers were published as An Australian Democrat. The Life, Work and Consequences of Andrew Inglis Clark by the Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies in 1995.

For the Centenary of Federation (2001), the University of Tasmania has made Clark the focus of its celebrations. A public lecture and symposium were held in the university on 27-28 September2001, and two major new books have been published by the Schools of Law and History and Classics: Frank and Lawrence Neasey, Andrew Inglis Clark, and Richard Ely (ed.), A Living Force. Andrew Inglis Clark and the Ideal of the Commonwealth. Proceeds from the sale of these books will go into university scholarships and prizes.


See also Obituaries: Two remembrances of Clark.

 

Clark's gravestone

Clark's gravestone, moved from the Queenborough cemetery to the Queenborough Memorial Garden
in Peel Street, Sandy Bay. View larger photo.

Portrait of Clark
Head and shoulders portrait of Clark, by Barraud
of London. (University of Tasmania Archives)

 

 

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Last Modified: 27-Oct-2003