G. V. Portus

Garnet Vere "Jerry" Portus MA., B.Litt. (Oxon) (7 June 1883 – 16 June 1954) was an Australian academic.

History Portus was born in Morpeth, New South Wales, a son of Henry Dumaresq Portus, local manager for the Newcastle and Hunter River Steamship Company. Canon Harold S. D. Portus (c. 1874 – 20 April 1941), rector of St. Peter's Church, East Maitland was a brother.

Portus was a student at Maitland Public High School and after leaving joined the Mines Department, but three years later, at the urging of (Anglican) Bishop Stanton of Newcastle studied at St Paul's College, Sydney University, graduating with First-class Honours. He was a fine athlete and a star (Rugby Union) footballer, and in 1907 won a Rhodes Scholarship, which took him to Oxford University, where he achieved his MA in 1909 and B.Litt. two years later. He represented England in the 1908 Home Nations Championship.

He acted as Professor of History and Economy at Adelaide University 1913–1914 while Professor Henderson was on leave.

He was ordained a priest and served the Church of England as rector of Cessnock. He served as a censor during the Great War, while studying for his MA, which he achieved in 1917.

He was employed as lecturer in Economic History at Sydney University and director of tutorial classes.

He was appointed Professor of Political Science and History at Adelaide University in 1934, retiring in 1948, but continued to lecture until shortly before his death.

Family He married Ethel M. Ireland, of Newcastle in 1912. A son, John Portus, was Conciliation Commissioner.