Ewen Neil McQueen

Ewen Neil McQueen (April 1889 – 1967) was an Australian headmaster, prominent educational innovator, scientist, psychologist and General Practitioner. He was most often known as Neil McQueen or E. Neil McQueen.

Early life and training Born at Carlton North, Victoria, McQueen was the fourth son of Rev. Finlay McQueen, a minister at Skipton, near Ballarat, and his wife Emma Selina Bruton. McQueen's parents had earlier emigrated from the Scottish Highlands.

McQueen was educated at his local primary school, performing so well that he received an open scholarship to the Scotch College, Melbourne. At Scotch, McQueen proved himself as a scholar, becoming dux in classics in 1906 and winning a scholarship to Ormond College at Melbourne University in classics and mathematics. He was also a talented tennis player and track and field athlete.

On 13 April 1913 he married Florence Isabel Dunn of Northcote, with whom he had four children, Ewen Garth (born 1916), Patricia (born 1925), Sheila and Barry (born 1931).

After graduating from university, McQueen went to the University of London where he studied both general and experimental psychology, taking out a first class honours degree in science. He continued his research in psychology at the Psychological Laboratory of University College London, specialising in testing and measurement, where he was supervised by Professor Charles Spearman, one of the early psychometricians. McQueen focused his work on the "Distribution of Attention" in individuals, rejecting earlier claims that there were certain individuals types who possessed general powers of an extensive attention span capable of taking on a number of tasks at the same time. The result of this study was published in the British Journal of Psychology as a monograph supplement in 1917. McQueen's arrangement was a modified version of the original Dalton Plan. At least one formal class lesson was given in each subject each week. During the rest of the week, about half the periods, students spent their time in practical work, reading texts and other references under the direction of a teacher who was available for individual and/or group consultation. All work was divided into monthly portions and set out in "Monthly Assignments". Charts in each subject room indicated pupils' progress in that subject and pupils kept their own progress charts as well. Girls who fell behind were required to make up their work on Thursday and Friday afternoons. The outcome of these two philosophies on the school was the use of drama (often in the form of pageant's) to aid self-expression and the introduction of lectures and self-government.

McQueen was informed of this decision and cut his leave short, returning from overseas. At a meeting on 11 December 1929, Council unanimously resolved that Dr McQueen's appointment be terminated. Rev. A. M. Ogilvie, Minister at Beecroft, apologised for his absence and by letter indicated that he opposed the motion. He was McQueen's sole supporter. Subsequently, Messrs R. Vicars and F. Thompson interviewed McQueen to "invite his resignation". McQueen, gentleman to the end, advised Council to take any action that it deemed necessary. McQueen's "resignation" agreement was that he would be paid £1,209 in lieu of notice and that his two daughters would be accepted at the college at the pleasure of Council, as day scholars free of ordinary school fees. When news of McQueen's "resignation" became known, a number of parents were said to be outraged by the council's action and withdrew their daughters immediately, thereby, incidentally, worsening the enrolment situation. A number of staff resigned in protest, Lindley Evans among them.

The P.L.C. Speech Day of 1929 clearly illustrated the degree of support for McQueen among parents and students. It is said that when the official party came on stage, there was no applause until McQueen appeared. Vicars, the chairman for the occasion, referred to McQueen once towards the end of the ceremony but was drowned out by cheering and clapping "during which Council were a peculiar greenish hue about the face, especially Gillespie and Vicars." Further, after the national anthem was sung and the officials were about to leave the stage, Rev. William Duffy, Minister at Wollongong and a parent of a P.L.C student, stood up and asked the chairman to be seated. He said that McQueen had been wronged and what was more, he was not even allowed to say good-bye. Council subsequently rushed out quickly and locked themselves in the dining room. In the Assembly Hall all was confusion with everyone cheering, stamping their feet and shouting. The stamping continued for so long that the Hall became full of dust, making it hard to see. Eventually, Mr. Duffy was able to quieten the gathering and McQueen was able to speak. He thanked those who had helped him and added:

Parent and ex-student protest meetings followed, and the matter was taken up in the press, however all efforts failed. McQueen is often remembered by ex-students as a great man who made learning interesting and relevant.

Later years After leaving P.L.C., McQueen returned to his first love, medicine, at the University of Sydney. After graduating, he practised successfully as a general practitioner in the Ashfield district of Sydney for many years.

McQueen died in 1967. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Legacy The "E. Neil McQueen Block" and the "McQueen Seminar Room" at the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney are named after him.