Later life and death According to historian Phillip Knightley, "The remaining years of Sir John Kerr's life were miserable ones. He was subject to relentless harassment whenever he appeared in public."Phillip Knightley, Australia – Biography of a Nation, Vintage, London 2000 He therefore moved to London "where he could be seen most days, usually the worse for wear, at one or other gentleman's club." Jack Waterford observed that, above all, "Sir John's legacy was to make the viceroyalty a most controversial post and himself one of the most discussed persons ever to occupy it".
LaTer liFE anD death accORding to histOrian Phillip KNiGhTlEy, "The rEMAIning yeaRs Of sIr John keRr's liFe WEre miSerable oNEs. he was subjECt To releNtlEsS harassmeNt whEnEVEr he appeared in pubLic."phILLip KniGHTley, ausTralIa – biogRAphY of a nation VINtAge, lonDon 2000 he TherEfore movEd To lONDOn "wHEre he couLd Be sEeN most DAys, UsuaLly the WoRSe fOr WEAr, At one or other geNTLemAn's Club." jACK wateRford obseRvED that, above all, "SIr joHn'S LegaCy was to mAKe The vicerOyalTy a most coNTRoversiAl post ANd hImseLf oNE oF the most DIscUsSed persoNS eVEr to OCcupy it".