Guide to the Papers of the Paterson Family, 1884-1973

Summary

Collection number:

MS 6882

Creator:

Paterson Family

Extent:

5.55 metres and (24 ms boxes + 3 medium folio boxes + 1 large folio box)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of the Paterson Family, National Library of Australia, MS 6882, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

This collection was purchased in two parts. The first portion, consisting of two scrapbooks of the artist John Ford Paterson, was acquired in early 1982, having been offered for sale by Barbara Kerridge, the daughter of Betty Paterson in October, 1981. These scrapbooks contain press cuttings, photographs, correspondence and memorabilia relating to John Ford Paterson, his brother, Hugh Paterson, other members of the Paterson Family and the artist community of Melbourne in the period 1884 to 1930.

The second portion purchased in 1983, contains a small quantity of letters and press cuttings of Betty Paterson, with the bulk being letters, press cuttings and manuscripts of Esther Paterson and her husband, George Hermon Gill. These is a large amount of Gill's published and unpublished work as well as Letter Books from March 9, 1954 to February 22, 1973 with the period January 24, 1966 to March 19, 1967 missing. There is also a quantity of material; photographs, manuscripts, press cuttings, newspapers; which, because of the disordered state of the collection, cannot be pinpointed as originating with any particular member of the family and these have been placed under the heading 'Paterson Family'. Material originating from more than one member of the family; e.g. published material illustrated by both Esther and Betty, have also been placed under 'Paterson Family'.

When able to establish their origin, the papers relating to the various members of the family have been kept together and each series created from like material within the framework of the name of the member of the family.

Biographical Note:

Paterson family

Material in the collection covers several members of the family: John Ford Paterson, Hugh Paterson, Esther Paterson, Elizabeth (Betty) Paterson, George Hermon Gill, Barbara Newman.

John Ford Paterson

John Ford Paterson was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1851 and attended the Royal Scottish Academy schools in Edinburgh. After spending three years in Melbourne from 1872, he moved there permanently in 1884. He worked as a landscape painter and some of his work was included in collections of Australian art sent to London in 1886 and 1898.

During 1902, Paterson was President of the Victorian Artists' Society and was a trustee of the Public Library, Museums and National Gallery of Victoria between 1903 and 1912. Although not a prolific painter, he ranks among the more important artists working in Australia at the end of the nineteenth century and was associated with members of the Heidelberg School. He did not marry, and died on 30 June, 1912.

Hugh Paterson

Younger brother of John Ford Paterson. He was born in Scotland on 3 October, 1856 and also attended the Royal Scottish Academy schools. He migrated to Australia as a youth. He painted at the National Gallery School, Melbourne, and became an authority on historical costume and decoration. He also designed for the Gaiety Theatre, London, and for many theatrical artists, including Nellie Stewart.

Hugh Paterson helped to establish the Australian Artists' Association in 1886 and the Victorian Artists' Society in 1888. He was an active member of the Caledonian Society. He redesigned the Commonwealth coat-of-arms in 1910. He became Chairman of the first Commonwealth Art Advisory Board in 1912 and played a role in the design and decoration of the chamber of the A.N.Z. Bank at the corner of Collins and Queen Streets and also the Exhibition buildings. He was appointed, with the Chairman of the Associated Banks and the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, to consider designs for Australia's Treasury notes in 1911. Hugh Paterson died in Melbourne in 1 December, 1917. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Leslie Deans, a son and two daughters, Esther and Elizabeth (Betty).

Esther Paterson

Esther was born in Carlton, Victoria on 5 February, 1893 and studied at the National Gallery, Melbourne. She achieved a reputation in portraiture, and undertook posters and drawings for the Services and War Loan campaigns during World War 1. She married in 1923, George Hermon Gill, and illustrated his books Captain Cook's Cottage (1934) and Suburban Souvenir (1962). Examples of Esther's work are held by the National Gallery of Victoria. She was an honorary life member of the Victorian Artists' Society and a former President of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. She died on 8 August, 1971.

Elizabeth (Betty) Deans Paterson

Elizabeth Paterson was born in Carlton Victoria in 1894 and studied music at the Melbourne Conservatorium. She developed her drawing and painting under her sister's guidance. Elizabeth always signed Betty Paterson or B P, probably so as not to be confused with Elizabeth Paterson, her cousin, who was also an artist and illustrator.

Betty Paterson contributed sketches featuring small children to the Bulletin, and became famous for watercolour portraits of children, including younger members of the Royal family. With her sister, Esther, she conducted painting classes for the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Soldiers' Association.

Betty married K.F. Newman in 1923 and Albion Wiltshire in 1952. She was appointed MBE in 1966 and died on 5 July, 1970, survived by a daughter, Barbara.

George Hermon Gill

George Hermon Gill was born on 8 March 1895 in London. He joined the Merchant Navy but resigned in 1923 and moved to Melbourne to marry Esther Paterson.

He worked as a journalist for the Argus and the Star and then was the Editor of the Record, the South Melbourne local newspaper, for 20 years. He was also editor of Chin Up, magazine of the Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldier's Association of Victoria from 1957; and editor of The Australian Builder from July 1949 to his death in 1973. He contributed articles, short stories and cartoons to popular magazines and newspapers.

During World War 11, George Gill served in Naval Intelligence with the rank of Commander and, following the War, became the Official Naval Historian. He wrote two volumes of Naval History. He also wrote the history of the Melbourne Athenaeum Club, The Record and The State Electricity Commission of Victoria.

George Gill was a member of the International PEN Club, serving as Secretary between 1950 and 1960,; associated with the Fellowship of Epicures; committee member of the Victorian Artists' Society; life member of the Melbourne South Rotary Club; and a member of the Naval Historical Society of Australia.

He was awarded an MBE in 1971. He died on 27 February, 1973.

Barbara Newman

Daughter of Elizabeth Deans Paterson and K.F. Newman. Married James Penberthy (Composer), and then married A. Kerridge. She designed for theatres, illustrated for magazines and her paintings have been well received.

Indexed terms

Names:

Paterson Family

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1655529) for the access conditions.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of the Paterson Family, National Library of Australia, MS 6882, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

Contact us