Genealogical and biographical papers, 1864-1987

Component identifier:

Series 15

Content Summary:

A series of files containing genealogical, autobiographical and biographical information and writings about Gowrie and his family. Files 1-3 contain some family history papers including printed notes concerning De Burgh Fitzpatrick Persse (1840-1921), an ancestor of Lady Gowrie, materials regarding the Gowrie baronetcy, and other items about the Ruthven family name researched by the vice-regal couple. There are also some letters about the so-called 'Gowrie conspiracy', which discuss the mysterious death on 5 August 1600 of the third Earl of Gowrie and his younger brother.

At the prompting of publisher Peter Davies, on his return to England Gowrie set about recording his life in an autobiography. The London manager of the Melbourne Herald John Blanch was contracted to assist as ghost writer in 1950. The manuscript was partially completed on the latter's return to Australia in 1953, but remained untouched for thirty years when Blanch, by this time blind from diabetes, again took up the project with the assistance of Shona McDowall. The resultant biography was posthumously published as Gowrie, VC by Blanch's wife Barbara in 1998. Folders 4-15 comprise successive versions of the original autobiographical manuscript, whilst Files 17-25 contain the typed and edited stages of the reworked biography Gowrie, VC.

File 16 incorporates other papers used by Blanch in the course of his research, including copies of letters by John Curtin, and correspondence with Curtin's daughter, Elsie Macleod dated 1986-87.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the National Library in seven instalments: by Gowrie's grandson, the Honourable Malise Hore-Ruthven, in 1970, 1981 (two instalments), 1983, 1986 and 1993, and; in 1999 by Barbara Blanch, widow of Gowrie's biographer, John Blanch. In addition, in 1969 the Library received a collection of books acquired by Lord Gowrie, which had been housed at Australia House since 1955. Most of the volumes were presentation copies inscribed by the authors. Those books not already held were added to the Library's general book collection, whilst duplicate titles were offered to other libraries through the Clearing Centre.

Names:

Hore-Ruthven, Malise

Contents

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