Kitto, Frank Sir

Sir Frank Walters Kitto, AC, KBE, was a preeminent Australian judge and the third Chancellor of the University of New England (1970 - 1981). Prior to his chancellorship, Kitto was a Justice of the High Court of Australia (1950–1970), where he earned a reputation for judicial excellence and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, notably in the Communist Party case. His national service was recognised with his appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1983.

At UNE, Kitto transitioned from Deputy Chancellor (1968) to Chancellor, overseeing a period of institutional development following his retirement from the bench. His contributions to the university and the legal field were honoured with an honorary Doctorate of Letters from UNE and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Sydney in 1982. A resident of Armidale in his later years, his legacy is maintained through the annual Sir Frank Kitto Lecture at the university, reflecting his influence on legal education and his principled leadership.