John W Harris

Dr. John Harris has had a lifelong interest in Aboriginal people, in their culture, history and languages. He is the author of numerous books and papers on Aboriginal history, education, language and Christian experience. He spent many years as a teacher and school principal in Aboriginal communities. His most recent position was director of the Translation and Text Division of the Bible Society in Australia where a major responsibility was the translation of the Bible into Indigenous languages...See more

Dr. John Harris has had a lifelong interest in Aboriginal people, in their culture, history and languages. He is the author of numerous books and papers on Aboriginal history, education, language and Christian experience. He spent many years as a teacher and school principal in Aboriginal communities. His most recent position was director of the Translation and Text Division of the Bible Society in Australia where a major responsibility was the translation of the Bible into Indigenous languages. He is also an ordained Anglican priest. John holds a PhD in Aboriginal languages. He was awarded a Doctor of Theology for writing One Blood, the first edition being chosen as Religious Book of the Year. He was recently honoured by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Her Majesty the Queen by being awarded a Lambeth Doctor of Divinity for his advocacy of Aboriginal people in both the Church and the wider community. In retirement, John continues his active involvement in Aboriginal issues through Bible translation, writing, and speaking. He has a strong commitment to supporting Aboriginal people to revive endangered languages. He is married to Judith and they have three children and six grandchildren. See less