Collected poetry, verse and essays, c. 1930-54, c. 1930-54

Component identifier:

Series 18

Content Summary:

A series comprising printed and draft prose and poetry, collected by the Gowries over the course of their careers. Featuring amongst the varied essay titles are the typescripts: 'Anzac operations' by the young Hore-Ruthven; a lengthy account entitled 'Experiences of an Australian nurse' by Edith White; 'An episode in the life of Lord Kitchener', an obituary 'The Bartons of Wallerawang', typed and annotated by Lord Gowrie;'Advance from Mons with apologies to the famous retreat of 1914' by Jim Lewis; and an annotated draft by J. Elliot Monfries 'Not test cricket'.

The verse and poetry in this series are also varied, some is in the Gowrie's handwriting, and it is often unclear whether they are the authors of the poems, or merely copiers. The verse is both serious and humorous (including some obvious parodies), typed, handwritten and sometime printed, often unsigned and originally retained in multiple copies. Much of this material appears to have been sent to the Gowries by friends who were aware of their appreciation of poetry.

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

Access and use