Jean May Campbell (McNeil) is the fourth child of Scottish-born John McNeil Campbell, bank manager, and his Victorian-born wife Louise, nee Bollinger. Campbell was educated at Presbyterian Ladies' College, East Melbourne, where she headed the debating team, edited the school magazine, acted in school productions and achieved honours in the Leaving certificate. She briefly attended the University of Melbourne as a non-degree student, completed a licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London, and a teaching diploma from the London College of Music. She then began instructing in the 'much abused art' of elocution.
Described by a journalist as 'tall and Junoesque', Campbell took pride in living by her wits. She performed in productions of the Little Theatre, Melbourne, and was later employed as its secretary. Campbell was active in PEN International and the Victorian section of the Fellowship of Australian Writers. She was secretary of the latter in 1950 and president from1954 to 1955.
Over the years Campbell continued to undertake freelance journalism, to teach English to immigrants and to visit relatives in Queensland. She appeared in five films, including three by Paul Cox, who also made a short documentary, We Are All Alone My Dear (1975) - with Campbell narrating - about life in the retirement village where she spent her last years.
Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au
Sighted: 27/04/2011
