Robert Close
Encyclopedia
Robert Close was an Australia
n novelist. In a widely publicised case, in 1946 he and "Georgian House Pty Ltd", the publisher of his 1945 novel "Love Me Sailor" were prosecuted in the Supreme Court of Victoria
for "obscene libel
".. In the first trial, the entire 90 000-word book was read to the jury
by counsel
for the prosecution twice: the first jury was discharged when the court was notified that the foreman of the jury had discussed the case with an one of Close's friends. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment and a fine of £ 100. This was later was overturned on appeal; he served 10 days in prison and was fined £ 150.
After his conviction he left Australia for France
in 1950. He returned to Australia in 1975 but after two years relocated to Majorca, where he died in 1995.
His later works included "Eliza Callaghan" (1957) (loosely based on the life of Elizabeth Callaghan, the spouse of Australian businessman and explorer John Batman
, and "The Voyage Continues" (1969).
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n novelist. In a widely publicised case, in 1946 he and "Georgian House Pty Ltd", the publisher of his 1945 novel "Love Me Sailor" were prosecuted in the Supreme Court of Victoria
Supreme Court of Victoria
The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1852, and is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited jurisdiction within the state...
for "obscene libel
Obscene libel
The publication of an obscene libel was an offence under the common law of England. Prior to the abolition by of the Criminal Law Act 1967 of the distinction between felony and misdemeanour, it was regarded as a misdemeanour...
".. In the first trial, the entire 90 000-word book was read to the jury
Jury
A jury is a sworn body of people convened to render an impartial verdict officially submitted to them by a court, or to set a penalty or judgment. Modern juries tend to be found in courts to ascertain the guilt, or lack thereof, in a crime. In Anglophone jurisdictions, the verdict may be guilty,...
by counsel
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
for the prosecution twice: the first jury was discharged when the court was notified that the foreman of the jury had discussed the case with an one of Close's friends. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment and a fine of £ 100. This was later was overturned on appeal; he served 10 days in prison and was fined £ 150.
After his conviction he left Australia for France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1950. He returned to Australia in 1975 but after two years relocated to Majorca, where he died in 1995.
His later works included "Eliza Callaghan" (1957) (loosely based on the life of Elizabeth Callaghan, the spouse of Australian businessman and explorer John Batman
John Batman
John Batman was an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer who is best known for his role in the founding of a settlement which became Melbourne and the colony of Victoria.-Life:...
, and "The Voyage Continues" (1969).
External links
- Secrets of the censors: Obscenity in the Archives from the National Archives of AustraliaNational Archives of AustraliaThe National Archives of Australia is a body established by the Government of Australia for the purpose of preserving Commonwealth Government records. It is an Executive Agency of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and reports to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig.The national...
- Robert S. Close at sections 132 and 134 of the archive from the library of the University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...