At a time when Australia's dominant economic philosophy favoured protectionist tariffs, Shann championed a more liberal approach.

[2] The 1890s in Australia were characterized by a serious economic depression, and the Shann family suffered great financial difficulty during this time.

[2] Apart from a brief stint as acting professor of philosophy at the University of Adelaide in 1906, a posting he apparently regretted, he would lecture in Melbourne until his departure for the London School of Economics.

[2] In September 1908 he left Australia to attend the LSE where he intended to pursue a D.Sc., although his studies would ultimately be cut short due to illness.

[2] In all of these roles he emerged as a strong proponent of free trade and flexible markets and against expansionary fiscal policy.

[2][5] His collection of essays, Bond or Free?, juxtapose economic liberalism against paternal protectionism and, as in the title, ask whether Australians should prefer bondage or freedom.

[6] Rather, it suggests that his death was probably accidental: Shann, who had suffered from nervousness throughout his life, often felt faint, and when such an episode was upon him he would tend to rush to fresh air.

[6] Similarly, Keith Hancock wrote in a letter that Shann had told him he had been feeling faint, and related that he would often open a window to get some fresh air and then lose his balance.

[6] In light of them it now seems more likely that Shann had a similar episode, opened his window, and, feeling faint, simply fell out.