The ideal of Alexis de Tocqueville, 1938-50

Component identifier:

Series 11

Content Summary:

In 1938 Clark was persuaded by his tutor at Balliol College, Humphrey Sumner, to work on the writings of the French political philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859). In 1939 he and Dymphna spent some time in France, where he worked on manuscripts of de Tocqueville at Paris and the Chateau de Tocqueville at Cosqueville in Normandy. He continued work on the thesis after his return to Australia and it was accepted by the University of Melbourne which awarded him a Master of Arts degree in 1944. Clark's thesis was published posthumously by Melbourne University Press in 2000.

Apart from a few notes dating from 1950, the papers in this series comprise notes made by Clark in 1938-40 of de Tocqueville's published and unpublished writings, together with drafts of his thesis.

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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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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