Randal Heymanson

Sir Randal Heymanson
CBE
Sir Randal Heymanson CBE
Born	18 April 1903; South Yarra, Melbourne
Died	27 August 1984 (aged 81); New York City
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Melbourne; London School of Economics
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	Melbourne Herald

Sir Sydney Henry (Randal) Heymanson

international correspondent for The Herald

and its affiliated Australian Newspapers Service, based at first in London and later in New York City.

Early life and education

Sydney Henry Heymanson was born at South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia, in 1903. His parents were Frederick Leopold Heymanson and Bertha McDonnell Heymanson. His father worked as a commercial traveller.^[1]

After his early education at All Saints' Grammar School in

Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Melbourne, where he graduated with first-class honours in 1924. At university, he won prizes in history, political science, and political economy and was elected editor of the Melbourne University Magazine.^[1]

After finishing his university studies in Melbourne, Heymanson worked as a history master at his grammar school. In 1925, he was a founder and first editor of the University of Melbourne's

London School of Economics and Political Science, studying under Arnold Toynbee. To support himself in London, he worked as a lecturer in the extension program of the University of London and as a reporter for The Herald, which had a staff in London.^[1]

Career

Heymanson abandoned academia and turned his attention to journalism, becoming European correspondent for The Herald and the Australian Newspaper Service, as well as supplying articles to British newspapers. As an early commentator on the rising power of Adolf Hitler in Germany, he warned of the possible approach of war. In July 1939 he collaborated with Roy Lewis to start a newsletter called Vital News that they distributed confidentially to British and American government policymakers and bankers until December 1941.^[1]^[2]

In 1940, Heymanson, who was by then using the first name of "Randal", accepted

Sir Keith Murdoch's invitation to start a New York bureau for The Herald's Australian Newspaper Service. Murdoch wanted to start a New York bureau because of his hope that the United States would enter World War II in support of the Allies and because he regarded connections with the United States as strategically important for Australia.^[1]

Heymanson was based in New York for the rest of his life. In addition to serving as editor and manager for the Australian News Service's New York bureau, he developed extensive networks of professional and personal connections in the United States.

Sir Robert Menzies called him "the best informed Australian living in America".^[1]

He retired from his position as New York bureau chief for The Herald in 1969, but continued to contribute to The Herald and other members of the Australian Newspapers Service until his death in 1984.[3]

Honours and awards

In recognition of his services to Australian journalism and his contributions to fostering friendship and cooperation between the United States and Australia, in the

Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.^[8] In the New Year Honours 1972 Heymanson was appointed a Knight Bachelor.^[9]

Death and legacy

Heymanson died in New York City on 27 August 1984. His ashes were returned to Australia.

oriental art, the history of costume and fashion, and the art of the book.^[2] He left a large financial endowment to the medical school of the University of Melbourne for the establishment and maintenance of the Sir Randal Heymanson Foundation, to be devoted to research on pain.^[2]^[10]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Humphries, Michael E. (2007). "Heymanson, Sir Sydney Henry (Randal) (1903–1984)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Papers of Sir Randal Heymanson (1903–1984)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Sir Randal Heymanson, Reporter for Australian Paper". New York Times. 7 September 1984.
^ "History: It Continues . . . (1967–1993)". Foreign Press Association of New York. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
^ American Australian Association. "About the American Australian Association". Australian Diaspora – Submission to the Australian Senate Inquiry. Parliament of Australia. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
^ "No. 40498". The London Gazette. 3 June 1955. p. 3299.
^ "Promoted U.S. Australian Ties". New York Times. 9 June 1955.
^ "No. 43530". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 9 December 1964. p. 38.
^ "No. 45555". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 31 December 1971. p. 33.
^ "UTR7.169 Sir Randal Heymanson Foundation" (PDF). University of Melbourne. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

[ADB-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Humphries, Michael E. (2007). "Heymanson, Sir Sydney Henry (Randal) (1903–1984)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.

[NLApapers-2] "Papers of Sir Randal Heymanson (1903–1984)". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

[NYTobit-3] "Sir Randal Heymanson, Reporter for Australian Paper". New York Times. 7 September 1984.

[4] "History: It Continues . . . (1967–1993)". Foreign Press Association of New York. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

[5] American Australian Association. "About the American Australian Association". Australian Diaspora – Submission to the Australian Senate Inquiry. Parliament of Australia. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 2 June 2013.

[6] "No. 40498". The London Gazette. 3 June 1955. p. 3299.

[7] "Promoted U.S. Australian Ties". New York Times. 9 June 1955.

[8] "No. 43530". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 9 December 1964. p. 38.

[9] "No. 45555". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 31 December 1971. p. 33.

[10] "UTR7.169 Sir Randal Heymanson Foundation" (PDF). University of Melbourne. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

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