HAROLD FORD, AM
Professor of Law
14/10/1920 to 27/9/2012
Harold Arthur John Ford was born in Coburg in 1920and grew up during the Great Depression, when his family experienced considerable financial adversity. His early secondary education was at Coburg High School from where he transferred to University High School in order to Matriculate. He embarked on his stellar legal career, not as a cosseted university student but as a 16-year old part-timer in the articled clerks course in which, following leave on naval service during World War 2, he won the Supreme Court Prise.
Harold Ford became an eminent teacher and pioneer in the teaching of Commercial Law and was appointed to the Chair of Commercial Law at Melbourne University in 1962, which he held with great distinction until his retirement in 1984.
When Ford took up his chair, company law was something of a Cinderella subject.
It's critical analysis and teaching were undeveloped. There was no Australian text and lawyers relied on an English publication. In 1974, Ford met the Australian profession's need with the first edition of what [through 14 editions over four decades] ultimately became Ford's Principles of Corporation Law, an essential text for all legal practitioners. Ford's skillful approach made complex commercial law intelligible and engaging.
Following a short illness, Harold Ford died peacefully a month before his 92nd birthday.
Professor of Law
14/10/1920 to 27/9/2012
Harold Arthur John Ford was born in Coburg in 1920and grew up during the Great Depression, when his family experienced considerable financial adversity. His early secondary education was at Coburg High School from where he transferred to University High School in order to Matriculate. He embarked on his stellar legal career, not as a cosseted university student but as a 16-year old part-timer in the articled clerks course in which, following leave on naval service during World War 2, he won the Supreme Court Prise.
Harold Ford became an eminent teacher and pioneer in the teaching of Commercial Law and was appointed to the Chair of Commercial Law at Melbourne University in 1962, which he held with great distinction until his retirement in 1984.
When Ford took up his chair, company law was something of a Cinderella subject.
It's critical analysis and teaching were undeveloped. There was no Australian text and lawyers relied on an English publication. In 1974, Ford met the Australian profession's need with the first edition of what [through 14 editions over four decades] ultimately became Ford's Principles of Corporation Law, an essential text for all legal practitioners. Ford's skillful approach made complex commercial law intelligible and engaging.
Following a short illness, Harold Ford died peacefully a month before his 92nd birthday.