Kenneth Slessor: a biography, 1991

Component identifier:

Series 28

Content Summary:

In 1987 Dutton began researching the life of the Australian poet Kenneth Slessor, resulting in a biography which was published by Viking Books in 1991. To assist in the preparation of the book, Dutton was given custody of a number of papers belonging to the Slessor family (Folders 28-39). Of particular interest are the numerous photographs, a notebook and writings on China of Robert Slessor (Kenneth's father), together with pencil sketches by and of family members. A copy of a 1939 edition of Five bells, inscribed by Kenneth Slessor to Ronald McCuaig and later presented as a gift by McCuaig to Dutton, is filed in file 27. Also included in this series are papers relating to Dutton's involvement with the 'Kenneth Slessor' ABC radio program (broadcast 1991), and a seminar 'Kenneth Slessor remembered', held at the National Library of Australia on 25 May 1991.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were purchased in a number of instalments. The bulk of the papers were received from Geoffrey Dutton between 1986 and 1998, with a further two small instalments received from his partner, Robin Lucas, in 2002 and 2003.

Names:

Geoffrey Dutton

Contents

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