Ward, Russel, 1914-1995

Russel Braddock Ward AM (1914–1995) was a prominent Australian historian and academic, best known for his influential work on Australian national identity. Born in Adelaide, Ward was educated at the University of Adelaide and later completed a doctorate at the Australian National University. He served in the Australian Army during the Second World War before pursuing an academic career.

Ward taught at the University of New England from 1957, where he became a central figure in the History discipline and was later appointed Emeritus Professor. He served as Deputy Chancellor of UNE from 1981 to 1989. Ward authored a number of distinguished works, including The Australian Legend (1958), A Nation for a Continent (1977) and Finding Australia (1987), which continue to influence scholarship on Australian history and identity.