A history of Australia: research materials, 1960-86

Component identifier:

Series 17

Content Summary:

This is the largest series in the collection and the least organised. Clark and his research assistants accumulated a huge quantity of notes, photocopies and microfilm printouts, which were filed roughly under subject headings. Unlike the other series, the files have not been re-foldered, except in cases where the files were very thick and the papers were becoming damaged. The papers have been grouped by volume, but the order of files within each volume is random and they are not numbered. It is not known whether they were ever in any definite order.

Clark was helped on the History by a number of research assistants: Barbara Penny, Rima Rossall, Lyndall Ryan, Deirdre Morris, Susan Eade, Beverley Hooper and Roslyn Russell. They transcribed or copied much of the material in this series.

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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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

Contents

Access and use