Australian Historical Medals

Lot 553    SESSION 3 (2.30PM TUESDAY 23RD NOV)    Australian Historical Medals

Estimate $100
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $80

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, New South Wales, Prize Medal in bronze (52mm), by A.Wyon, reverse inscribed, 'M.A.Examination./1926./Duncan W.G.K./(Philosophy.)'. Traces of mint red, uncirculated.

Walter George Keith Duncan was born at Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales on 11 July 1903 to his New Zealand born parents. He was educated at Fort Street Boys' High School and the University of Sydney where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924 and a Master of Arts degree in 1926. He graduated with first class honours and was awarded a medal in history and another in philosophy and then completed his master's degree passing with first class honours and another medal for philosophy.

He was awarded a James King of Irrawang travelling scholarship and studied in both England and the United States of America. After his return to Australia in 1932, Duncan had a distinguished career in the education system including with universities in Sydney and Adelaide from 1951 as well as being involved with various commissions into education. Walter Duncan died at North Adelaide on 18 December 1987.

Note: Although a biographical report states that Walter George Keith Duncan was educated at Fort Street Boys' High School there is a newspaper report that states that he was awarded the Brendan Lane-Mullins Memorial Medal in 1921 based on his Leaving Certificate examinations in 1920 at Sydney Technical High School.

See our Sale 127 (lot 1004) for another University of Sydney medal awarded to W.G.K.Duncan for the B.A. Examination, once again for philosophy. See also lot 537 in this current sale for the award to him of the Brendan Lane-Mullins Memorial Medal.