Diaries, 1938-91

Component identifier:

Series 2

Content Summary:

Clark used small notebooks for recording diary entries. The entries were frequent, but not usually daily. Some diaries were kept intermittently over a period of years, others covered only a few days, and there was some overlap between volumes. The distinction between the diaries and the notebooks in series 3 is not sharp, as the latter often contain precisely dated entries. In general, the notebooks record Clark's reading and research as a young man, while the diaries record his activities generally over a period of fifty years, including travels, lectures, meetings and conversations. They also record his private thoughts and feelings.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Manning Clark's association with the National Library extended over forty years and much of his research for A history of Australia was carried out in its reading rooms. In the final volume, published in 1987, he wrote that 'The Petherick Room, the Manuscripts Room, and the Newspaper Room are present in every page of this volume, just as they are present always in my heart'. In 1988 Clark began transferring papers from his home to the Library and they were formally presented under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme in April 1989. Further donations under the Scheme were made in January 1990, June 1990 and May 1991, a few days before his death. The papers received in 1989-91 make up the bulk of the collection. They include most of the correspondence, the drafts of his books and other writings, and the research material for A history of Australia. In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000. The remaining papers were received from Dymphna Clark in 1994-95. They included his diaries, notebooks and further correspondence, including some substantial files of letters from major correspondents. Some correspondence, manuscript articles and references were also transferred from the History Department at the Australian National University.

Names:

Clark, Manning, AC, Professor (Charles Manning Hope)

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