Notebooks, 1916-1971

Component identifier:

Series 2

Content Summary:

Comprises Items 1-38 and papers added to the collection in 1986.

Twenty-seven notebooks belonging to Robert Slessor, 63 of Kenneth Slessor's and one of Noela Slessor's have been brought together to form the series.

Twelve of the notebooks contain notes about Mount Lyell. Robert Slessor was mine manager at Lyell Blocks from 1897 to 1900 and his notes, written in 1934, describe the mines at Mount Lyell and the various mining and metallurgic processes used, as well as discussing social aspects of life there and giving a brief history of the area. These notes mainly cover the period 1890 to 1910. Another of Robert Slessor's notebooks contains autobiographical notes about his early life, while 14 small notebooks record his thoughts and ideas on a wide variety of subjects.

Kenneth Slessor's notebooks date from childhood to his death in 1971 and contain anecdotes, lists of names and types and brands of animals and objects, an inventory of the contents of his house, a list of addresses, shopping lists and daily 'things to do' notes. The 53 notebooks in Folder 5 date from the time that Slessor was divorced from his second wife, Pauline, and reflect the dominant place that their son, Paul, held in his life. They also contain brief references to prominent people, largely Australian writers, such as Cyril Pearl, Douglas Stewart, Kylie Tennant (Mrs Rudd), Alec Chisholm, Margaret McEvoy, Ken Laird, Les Murray, Charles Dolan and Helen Plummer.

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

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