A history of Australia: drafts

Component identifier:

Series 16

Content Summary:

When he was at Oxford in May 1956 Clark decided to embark on a general history of Australia, a task that was to occupy much of his time for the next thirty years. Volume 1 of A history of Australia, subtitled 'From the earliest times to the age of Macquarie', was published by Melbourne University Press in 1962. It was received with great acclaim, but also subjected to strong criticism, most notably from the journalist and biographer M. H Ellis. Volume 2 was published in 1968, Volume 3 in 1973, Volume 4 in 1978, Volume 5 in 1981 and Volume 6 in 1987. Clark had originally planned to deal with the post-1851 period in a single volume, but in fact three volumes were devoted to this period. The final volume ended in 1935. Clark's use of sources, his carelessness with facts and his distinctive style have been much debated, but his History is generally regarded as one of the great works of Australian literature.

The drafts of Volume 3 are missing, but manuscript and typescript drafts of the other five volumes of A history of Australia have survived. They document the evolution of the book and the considerable textual and stylistic changes that took place between Clark's first draft and the final publication.

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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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