Ballads and Folklore, 1953-1994

Component identifier:

Series 13

Content Summary:

During World War II Ward became interested in the old bush songs collected by A.B. Paterson and this interest led to conversations with Vance Palmer and ultimately to The Australian Legend. His doctoral research began with a search for Australian ballads and folksongs, many of which can be found in Series 12. His research coincided with the ‘folk revival', in which John Manifold, John Meredith, Edgar Waters, Ron Edwards and Wendy Lowenstein played important roles. In 1964 Ward edited The Penguin Book of Australian Ballads, which was reprinted a number of times. He retained a strong interest in Australian folklore all his life.

The series contains ballads collected from various sources, newspaper cuttings, correspondence, printed items and the typescript of The Penguin Book of Australian Ballads. Correspondents include Edgar Waters, Ida Fielding and Brian Stonier (Penguin).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The bulk of the papers were purchased from Russel Ward in 1988. Following his death in 1995, a further five cartons of papers were donated by his family.

Names:

Russel Ward

Contents

Access and use