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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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John Passmore AC

1973
an unknown artist

gelatin silver photograph on paper (sheet: 30.9 cm x 22.2 cm, image: 20.1 cm x 14.8 cm)

John Passmore AC (1914-2004) was a philosopher. Born in Manly, Passmore studied under John Anderson at the University of Sydney, where he later taught briefly. In 1948 he went to London where he worked with the leading philosophers, including Karl Popper. Three years later, when he was teaching at Otago, his first major book was published. Some twenty more followed, including the monumental A Hundred Years of Philosophy (1957) and the pioneering Man's Responsibility for Nature (1974). Passmore came to the Australian National University as a Reader in 1955. Professor of Philosophy there from 1958 to 1979, during which time he became a Member or Fellow of a host of international academies, he continued as an Emeritus Professor into his eighties. He was a founding member of the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1969, becoming its President in 1974. The first volume of his autobiography, Memoirs of a Semi-Detached Australian, was published in 1997.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Mrs Doris Passmore 2003

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Professor John Passmore AC (age 59 in 1973)

Subject professions

Education and research

Donated by

Annie D. Passmore (1 portrait)

Related portraits

1. Professor John Passmore, 1996. All Robin Wallace-Crabbe, Dianne Fogwell.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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