John Curtin: a biography, 1907-85

Component identifier:

Series 11

Content Summary:

Ross began collecting material for a biography on John Curtin soon after his death in 1945. His research became a lifelong project and it was not until after his retirement that he was able to complete his work with the assistance of an editor. The book John Curtin: a biography was finally published in 1977 by Macmillan.

This series consists of correspondence, handwritten notes, typescript drafts with corrections, research and background notes and photocopies of archival documents. The correspondence includes letters by Ross seeking information on Curtin as well as letters written by Curtin (some originals and photocopies).

The drafts and accompanying notes of the biography are quite fragmented. While they have been organised in files, there is no sequential order of chapters and many appear to be out of order. While most pages have been numbered, on many occasions they have been renumbered and placed in a revised sequence. Due to the fragmented nature of the papers it is virtually impossible to identify the different versions of the biography.

Correspondence relating to the Curtin biography can also be found in Series 1.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were purchased from Lloyd Ross by the National Library in three instalments in 1974, 1979 and 1982. Further instalments were received after his death, in 1988 and 1991.

Names:

Lloyd Ross

Contents

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