Correspondence, 1940-84

Component identifier:

Series 1

Content Summary:

This series consists of both personal and professional correspondence of a wide-ranging nature. The majority of the correspondence relates to Crisp's academic years and includes material relating to administrative matters, comments on courses, letters from students, invitations to speak at conferences and other functions. Many of Crisp's work colleagues were also personal friends and their correspondence also includes personal news about family and mutual friends, academic issues and comments on the political situation both in Australia and overseas. Other correspondence is with publishers in relation to his writings, politicians, public servants, libraries and other research institutions and the many people with whom he came into contact while pursuing other interests.

The correspondents include Des Ball, W. Macmahon Ball, Kim Beazley, Brian Beddie, Herbert Burton, Gerald Caiden, Sir John Crawford, Lionel Godfrey, Hartley Grattan, Gordon Greenwood, Sir Paul Hasluck, Colin Hughes, Harry Keen, John La Nauze, Henry Mayer, Louise Overacker, Gordon Reid, Clinton Rossiter, Peter Ryan, Stuart Sayers and Richard Spann.

The correspondence has been arranged into four sequences. The correspondence in folders 1-12 was originally housed in box files. The papers have been removed from the box files and placed into folders. The correspondence in folders 13-20 was housed in Crisp's office at the Australian National University. Folders 21-28 contain correspondence on a specific subject. Finally, folder 29 contains letters which were removed from books belonging to Crisp. The books have been transferred to the Library's main collection.

Within the four sequences the original arrangement of the material within files has been retained and they have been arranged in chronological order. This has resulted in a high degree of overlap in the date ranges of the files.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were received by the Library from Mrs Helen Crisp in several instalments in 1976, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1988. The papers purchased in 1985 make up the bulk of the collection. At this time Crisp's extensive personal book library was also donated to the Library under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme.

Names:

L. F. Crisp

Contents

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