Editing V. Gordon Childe (section)

==Early life==
===Childhood: 1892–1910===

Childe was born on 14 April 1892 in [[Sydney]].{{Sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=1}} He was the only surviving child of the Reverend Stephen Henry Childe (1844–1923) and Harriet Eliza Childe, née Gordon (1853–1910), a middle-class couple of [[English Australians|English descent]].{{sfn|Green|1981|p=1}} The son of an [[Anglican]] priest, Stephen Childe was ordained into the [[Church of England]] in 1867 after gaining a BA from the [[University of Cambridge]]. Becoming a teacher, in 1871 he married Mary Ellen Latchford, with whom he had five children.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=3–4}} They moved to Australia in 1878, where Mary died. On 22 November 1886 Stephen married Harriet Gordon, an Englishwoman from a wealthy background who had moved to Australia as a child.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=4}} Her father was [[Alexander Gordon (Australian politician)|Alexander Gordon]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28351764 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |issue=15,187 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=29 November 1886 |accessdate=31 December 2021 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Gordon Childe was raised alongside five half-siblings at his father's palatial country house, the Chalet Fontenelle, in the township of [[Wentworth Falls, New South Wales|Wentworth Falls]] in the [[Blue Mountains (New South Wales)|Blue Mountains]], west of Sydney.{{sfn|Green|1981|p=5}} Rev. Childe worked as the minister for St. Thomas' Parish, but proved unpopular, arguing with his congregation and taking unscheduled holidays.{{sfn|Green|1981|p=5}}

A sickly child, Gordon Childe was educated at home for several years, before receiving a private-school education in [[North Sydney, New South Wales|North Sydney]].{{sfn|Green|1981|p=7}} In 1907, he began attending [[Sydney Church of England Grammar School]], gaining his Junior Matriculation in 1909 and Senior Matriculation in 1910. At school he studied ancient history, French, Greek, Latin, geometry, algebra, and trigonometry, achieving good marks in all subjects, but he was bullied because of his physical appearance and unathletic physique.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=8}} In July 1910 his mother died; his father soon remarried.{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=8–9}} Childe's relationship with his father was strained, particularly following his mother's death, and they disagreed on religion and politics: the Reverend was a devout Christian and [[social conservatism|conservative]] while his son was an [[atheist]] and [[socialist]].{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=8–9}}

===University in Sydney and Oxford: 1911–1917===

Childe studied for a degree in [[classics]] at the University of Sydney in 1911; although focusing on written sources, he first came across [[classical archaeology]] through the work of the archaeologists [[Heinrich Schliemann]] and [[Arthur Evans]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=9}} At university, he became an active member of the [[debating society]], at one point arguing that "socialism is desirable". Increasingly interested in socialism, he read the works of [[Karl Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels]], as well as those of the philosopher [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel|G. W. F. Hegel]], whose [[dialectics]] heavily influenced [[Marxist theory]].{{sfn|Green|1981|p=10}} At university, he became a great friend of fellow undergraduate and future judge and politician [[Herbert Vere Evatt]], with whom he remained in lifelong contact.{{sfn|Mulvaney|1994|p=56}} Ending his studies in 1913, Childe graduated the following year with various honours and prizes, including Professor [[Francis Anderson (philosopher)|Francis Anderson]]'s prize for philosophy.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=9, 32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=9–11}}
{{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|quote="My Oxford training was in the Classical tradition to which bronzes, terracottas and pottery (at least if painted) were respectable while stone and bone tools were [[banausos|banausic]]." |salign = right |source=— Gordon Childe, 1957.{{sfn|Childe|1958|p=69}}}}

Wishing to continue his education, he gained a £200 Cooper Graduate Scholarship in Classics, allowing him to pay the tuition fees at [[The Queen's College, Oxford|Queen's College]], part of the [[University of Oxford]], England. He set sail for Britain aboard the [[SS Orsova (1908)|SS ''Orsova'']] in August 1914, shortly after the outbreak of [[World War I]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=32|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=12–13|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3pp=12–13, 19–20}} At Queen's, Childe was entered for a diploma in classical archaeology followed by a [[Literae Humaniores]] degree, although he never completed the former.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=14–15|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3p=20}} While there, he studied under [[John Beazley]] and Arthur Evans, the latter being Childe's supervisor.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=14–15}} In 1915, he published his first [[academic paper]], "On the Date and Origin of [[Minyan ware|Minyan Ware]]", in the ''[[Journal of Hellenic Studies]]'', and the following year produced his B.Litt. thesis, "The Influence of Indo-Europeans in Prehistoric Greece", displaying his interest in combining philological and archaeological evidence.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=17–18|3a1=Champion|3y=2009|3pp=20, 21}}

At Oxford he became actively involved with the socialist movement, antagonising the conservative university authorities. Becoming a noted member of the left-wing [[reformism|reformist]] Oxford University Fabian Society, he was there in 1915 when it changed its name to the Oxford University Socialist Society, following a split from the [[Fabian Society]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=9, 33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=18–19}} His best friend and flatmate was [[Rajani Palme Dutt]], a fervent socialist and Marxist. The pair often got drunk and tested each other's knowledge about classical history late at night.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=21–22}} With Britain in the midst of World War I, many British-based socialists refused to enlist in the military despite the [[Recruitment to the British Army during the First World War#Conscription|government-mandated conscription]]. They believed the ruling classes of Europe's [[Imperialism|imperialist]] nations were waging the war for their own interests at the expense of the working classes; these socialists thought [[class conflict|class war]] was the only conflict they should be concerned with. Dutt was imprisoned for refusing to fight, and Childe campaigned for the release of both him and other socialists and pacifist [[conscientious objectors]]. Childe was never required to enlist in the military, most likely due to his poor health and eyesight.{{sfnm|1a1=Green|1y=1981|1pp=22–24|2a1=Champion|2y=2009|2pp=26–27}} His anti-war sentiments concerned the authorities; the intelligence agency [[MI5]] opening a file on him, his mail was intercepted, and he was kept under observation.{{sfn|Champion|2009|pp=27–28}}

===Early career in Australia: 1918–1921===

[[File:John Storey.jpg|upright=1|thumb|right|From 1919 to 1921, Childe worked for the leftist politician John Storey as his personal assistant.]]

Childe returned to Australia in August 1917.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=26–27|3a1=Mulvaney|3y=1994|3p=57}} As a known socialist agitator, he was placed under surveillance by the security services, who intercepted his mail.{{sfn|Mulvaney|1994|p=57}} In 1918 he became senior resident tutor at [[St Andrew's College, Sydney|St Andrew's College, Sydney University]], joining Sydney's socialist and anti-conscription movement. In Easter 1918 he spoke at the Third Inter-State Peace Conference, an event organised by the Australian Union of Democratic Control for the Avoidance of War, a group opposed to Prime Minister [[Billy Hughes]]'s plans to introduce conscription. The conference had a prominent socialist emphasis; its report argued that the best hope to end international war was the "abolition of the Capitalist System". News of Childe's participation reached the Principal of St Andrew's College, who forced Childe to resign despite much opposition from staff.{{sfnm|1a1=Green|1y=1981|1pp=27–28|2a1=Mulvaney|2y=1994|2p=59}}

Staff members secured him work as a tutor in ancient history in the Department of Tutorial Classes, but the university chancellor [[William Portus Cullen|William Cullen]] feared that he would promote socialism to students and fired him.{{sfnm|1a1=Green|1y=1981|1pp=29–30|2a1=Mulvaney|2y=1994|2p=61}} The leftist community condemned this as an infringement of Childe's [[civil rights]], and the centre-left politicians [[William McKell]] and T.J. Smith raised the issue in the [[Parliament of Australia]].{{sfn|Mulvaney|1994|p=61}} Moving to [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]], Queensland, in October 1918, Childe took up employment teaching Latin at the [[Maryborough State High School|Maryborough Boys Grammar School]], where his students included [[P. R. Stephensen]]. Here, too, his political affiliations became known, and he was subject to an opposition campaign from local conservative groups and the ''Maryborough Chronicle'', resulting in abuse from some pupils. He soon resigned.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=33|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=26–27|3a1=Mulvaney|3y=1994|3p=63|4a1=Evans|4y=1995|4pp=7–15}}

Realising he would be barred from an academic career by the university authorities, Childe sought employment within the leftist movement. In August 1919, he became private secretary and speech writer to the politician [[John Storey (politician)|John Storey]], a prominent member of the centre-left [[Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch)|Labor Party]] then in opposition to New South Wales' [[Nationalist Party (Australia)|Nationalist Party]] government. Representing the Sydney suburb of [[Electoral district of Balmain|Balmain]] on the [[New South Wales Legislative Assembly]], Storey became [[Premiers of the Australian states|state premier]] in 1920 when Labor achieved electoral victory.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=34|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=31–35|3a1=Mulvaney|3y=1994|3p=66}} Working within the Labor Party allowed Childe greater insight into its workings; the deeper his involvement, the more he became critical of Labor, believing that once in political office they betrayed their socialist ideals and moved to a centrist, pro-capitalist stance.{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=35–36}} He joined the radical leftist [[Industrial Workers of the World]], which at the time was banned in Australia.{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=35–36}} In 1921 Storey sent Childe to London to keep the British press updated about developments in New South Wales, but Storey died in December and an ensuing New South Wales election restored a Nationalist government under [[George Fuller (Australian politician)|George Fuller]]'s premiership. Fuller thought Childe's job unnecessary, and in early 1922 terminated his employment.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=34|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=37–40|3a1=Mulvaney|3y=1994|3p=55}}

===London and early books: 1922–1926===

Unable to find an academic job in Australia, Childe remained in Britain, renting a room in [[Bloomsbury]], [[Central London]], and spending much time studying at the [[British Museum]] and the [[Royal Anthropological Institute]] library.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=9|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=40}} An active member of London's socialist movement, he associated with leftists at the [[1917 Club]] in [[Gerrard Street, London|Gerrard Street]], [[Soho]]. He befriended members of the Marxist [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] (CPGB) and contributed to their publication, ''[[Labour Monthly]]'', but had not yet openly embraced Marxism.{{sfnm|1a1=Playford|1y=1963|1pp=57–59|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2p=41}} Having earned a good reputation as a prehistorian, he was invited to other parts of Europe to study prehistoric artefacts. In 1922 he travelled to [[Vienna]] to examine unpublished material about the [[Cucuteni–Trypillia culture|painted Neolithic pottery]] from [[Schipenitz]], [[Bukovina]], held in the Prehistoric Department of the [[Naturhistorisches Museum|Natural History Museum]]; he published his findings in the 1923 volume of the ''[[Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute]]''.{{sfn|Childe|1923}}{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=43–44}} Childe used this excursion to visit museums in Czechoslovakia and Hungary, bringing them to the attention of British archaeologists in a 1922 article in ''[[Man (journal)|Man]]''.{{sfn|Green|1981|p=44}} After returning to London, in 1922 Childe became a private secretary for three [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]], including [[John Hope Simpson]] and [[Frank Gray]], both members of the centre-left [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]].{{sfn|Green|1981|p=45}} Supplementing this income, Childe worked as a translator for the publishers [[Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.]] and occasionally lectured in prehistory at the [[London School of Economics]].{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=45–46}}
{{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|quote="As the [Australian] Labour Party, starting with a band of inspired Socialists, degenerated into a vast machine for capturing political power, but did not know how to use that political power except for the profit of individuals; so the <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[One Big Union (concept)|One Big Union]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> will, in all likelihood, become just a gigantic apparatus for the glorification of a few bosses. Such is the history of all Labour organizations in Australia, and that is not because they are Australian, but because they are Labour." |salign= right |source=— Gordon Childe, ''How Labour Governs'', 1923.{{sfn|Childe|1964|p=181}}}}

In 1923 the London Labour Company published his first book, ''How Labour Governs''. Examining the Australian Labor Party and its connections to the [[Australian labour movement]], it reflects Childe's disillusionment with the party, arguing that once elected, its politicians abandoned their socialist ideals in favour of personal comfort.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1p=34|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=46–47}} Childe's biographer Sally Green noted that ''How Labour Governs'' was of particular significance at the time because it was published just as the British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] was emerging as a major player in British politics, threatening the two-party dominance of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] and Liberals; [[1923 United Kingdom general election|in 1923]] Labour formed [[First MacDonald ministry|their first government]].{{sfn|Green|1981|pp=46–47}} Childe planned a sequel expanding on his ideas, but it was never published.{{sfn|Irving|1995|pp=82–94}}

In May 1923 he visited the museums in [[Lausanne]], [[Bern]], and [[Zürich]] to study their prehistoric artefact collections; that year he became a member of the Royal Anthropological Institute. In 1925, he became the institute's librarian, one of the only archaeological jobs available in Britain, through which he began cementing connections with scholars across Europe.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=35–36|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=48–49}} His job made him well known in Britain's small archaeological community; he developed a great friendship with [[O. G. S. Crawford]], the archaeological officer to the [[Ordnance Survey]], influencing Crawford's move toward socialism and Marxism.{{sfnm|1a1=Green|1y=1981|1pp=49–50|2a1=Hauser|2y=2008|2pp=110, 172}}

In 1925, Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co published Childe's second book, ''The Dawn of European Civilisation'', in which he synthesised the data about European prehistory that he had been exploring for several years. An important work, it was released when there were few professional archaeologists across Europe and most museums focused on their locality; ''The Dawn'' was a rare example that looked at the larger picture across the continent. Its importance was also due to the fact that it introduced the concept of the [[archaeological culture]] into Britain from continental scholarship, thereby aiding in the development of [[culture-historical archaeology]].{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=37–40|2a1=Green|2y=1981|2pp=51–52|3a1=Trigger|3y=2007|3pp=242–245}} Childe later said the book "aimed at distilling from archaeological remains a preliterate substitute for the conventional politico-military history with cultures, instead of statesmen, as actors, and migrations in place of battles".{{Sfn|Childe|1958|p=70}} In 1926 he published a successor, ''The Aryans: A Study of Indo-European Origins'', exploring the theory that [[Indo-European migrations|civilisation diffused northward and westward into Europe]] from the Near East via an [[Indo-European linguistic group]] known as the [[Indo-Iranian peoples|Aryans]]; with the ensuing racial use of the term "Aryan" by the German [[Nazi Party]], Childe avoided mention of the book.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=37–40|2a1=McNairn|2y=1980|2pp=12–14|3a1=Green|3y=1981|3p=53}} In these works, Childe accepted a moderate version of [[diffusionism]], the idea that cultural developments diffuse from one place to others, rather than being independently developed in many places. In contrast to the hyper-diffusionism of [[Grafton Elliot Smith]], Childe suggested that although most cultural traits spread from one society to another, it was possible for the same traits to develop independently in different places.{{sfnm|1a1=Trigger|1y=1980|1pp=44–49|2a1=McNairn|2y=1980|2p=7|3a1=Green|3y=1981|3pp=52–53}}