Review of Kathleen Letters, 'History Will Out. F.J.H Letters at the New England University College': Lenore Hardy, Scullin, ACT, 1997, pp. [6], x, 261, with 26 photographs. Soft covers. $19.95 ISBN 0 646 34532 X.

Abstract

In mid December 1997, a few days after the centennial of the birth of her late husband, Francis (Frank) Joseph Henry Letters (1897-1964) his widow, Kathleen Letters finally 'spoke out' about her (insider) knowledge of the professionally sad and worldly fate of the man whom she met in March 1931 and would wed soon afterwards. Perhaps, and more to the point, she has not chosen now to vilify those hollow men who traduced Francis Letters, both in the University of Sydney and in the New England University College (1938-1953)/University of New England (1954-1964). For this long pondered tale - but a text only penned relatively recently - is one of those studies which defy 'orthodox' category, being peculiarly 'sui generis'. The subject lived in Armidale for nearly twenty-seven years, as the author has done for some sixty years. Both Frank and his wife have had a considerable impact on the whole cultural community and they have been, arguably, the best known and respected couple in the city's history. It is therefore more fascinating for those who knew the book's subject and/or are aware of the peculiarly intense religious bigotry to which he and so many talented Catholics fell/would appear to have fallen victim for so long in this country until but yesterday.