Rate My Professor Kenneth Dutton

Emeritus Professor Kenneth Raymond Dutton was a leading figure in French studies at the University of Newcastle's Faculty of Arts. A graduate of Sydney Boys High School, he obtained a Master of Arts with First Class Honours and the University Medal from the University of Sydney, along with a doctorate from the University of Paris. His academic career began as a Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University, after which he joined the University of Newcastle in 1968 as Chair of French and was appointed Professor of French in 1969 to a Personal Chair.

Dutton assumed key leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Convocation from 1974 to 1976, Vice-President of the Staff Association from 1977 to 1980, and Acting Vice-Principal. Appointed Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 1982 at age 43, he also served on the University of Newcastle Council twice, the Macquarie University Council, as President of the Australian University Graduate Conference, President of the Australasian Universities Language and Literature Association, and President of the Alliance Française de Newcastle in the 1970s. His research specialized in French language and literature, linguistics, and biblical exegesis informed by ancient languages. A prolific scholar, he authored books such as The Perfectible Body: The Western Ideal of Physical Development (1995), That Gallant Gentleman, Henri Rochefort: Noumea to Newcastle, The Jarry-Gray Manuscript, Dante Remembered, and Auchmuty: The Life of James Johnston Auchmuty (1909-1981). He translated and edited A Swiss Settler in Australia: The Diary of Etienne Bordier, 1849-1851 (1987). Colleagues honored him with Perspectives in French Literature, Society and Culture: Studies in Honour of Kenneth Raymond Dutton. Among his accolades are the Member of the Order of Australia (AM), Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN), Fellow of the Australian College of Education, and Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Newcastle (2001).