General correspondence, 1915-1971

Component identifier:

Series 1

Content Summary:

Comprises Items 1-1035.

Most of the correspondence dates from the period 1944-1971 and relates to Slessor's work as a poet and a journalist. It is arranged chronologically with undated letters placed last. Included in the series are letters from contributors to Southerly, during the period that Slessor was the editor of the journal (1956-1962), correspondence dealing with the selection of his poems for various anthologies, and correspondence with Douglas Stewart concerning the publication of Bread and wine (1970). There are also letters of appreciation arising from articles Slessor wrote for newspapers and periodicals, notably the Daily Telegraph. The correspondents include Norman Lindsay, Douglas Stewart, Hugh McCrae, Guy Howarth, Christopher Koch, H.M. Green, Les Murray, Dame Mary Gilmore and Hal Porter.

Family correspondence is contained in Series 9, letters from students about poetry are in Series 20, and letters relating to Slessor's work for the Commonwealth Literary Fund and the National Literature Board of Review are contained in Series 25 and 26 respectively. All correspondence from the original consignment received by the Library in 1972 has been indexed in the attached 'Correspondence Index'.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of the poet and journalist Kenneth Slessor were offered to the National Library by his brother Robin Slessor, executor of the will, after his death in 1971. The National Library purchased the papers in 1972. Eight additional consignments of papers received by the Library between 1979 and 2000 were variously purchased from Robin Slessor, Paul Slessor and Peter Elder.

Names:

Slessor, Kenneth, 1901-1971

Contents

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