Law practice, 1854-1898

Component identifier:

Series 6

Content Summary:

After studying law at the University of Melbourne and at evening classes, Deakin was admitted to the Bar in September 1877. Few briefs came his way and he was drawn increasingly into his work as a journalist for The Age. His entry into politics in 1879, and for a longer period from 1881, caused a cessation of his legal practice until financial difficulties forced his return in 1892. He earned a good income from his practice until he became absorbed in Federal politics in 1900.

This series contains a small amount of correspondence with clients, together with notes, briefs and other documents relating to a number of cases, particularly the Deeming case, 1892. Several notebooks in Series 3 were originally used by Deakin to record legal matters, and these may contain additional information regarding his law practice.

This series contains Items 6/1 - 6/303. Several items from Subseries 6.3 have been digitised and are available online through this finding aid.

Immediate source of acquisition:

On 3 December 1965 Ivy Brookes, the eldest daughter of Alfred Deakin, formally presented the Deakin Papers to the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, for permanent preservation in the National Library. After Deakin's death in 1919 his papers remained in the possession of his widow, Pattie, until her death in 1934. They were used extensively by Herbert Brookes, and by Professor Walter Murdoch while he was working on the first biography of Deakin, published in 1923. In 1945 the Deakin Papers were examined by an officer of the National Library and it was agreed that the papers would ultimately be deposited in the Library. In 1948 Professor R.M. Crawford of the University of Melbourne became custodian of the papers on the understanding that either an extensive selection of documents or a biography would be based on them. Subsequently his colleague, Professor J.A. La Nauze, began Deakin's biography and the papers remained in his custody until the work was completed in 1965. From time to time other papers relating to Deakin were added to the original collection by Herbert and Ivy Brookes, Lady Rivett and Sir Thomas and Lady White. Professors Crawford and La Nauze also added letters or copies of Deakin letters that they had acquired from other sources.

Names:

Brookes, Ivy

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