In search of Henry Lawson, 1977-88
- Component identifier:
- Series 21
- Content Summary:
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While writing the later volumes of A history of Australia, Clark became preoccupied with the character of the poet and short story writer Henry Lawson (1867-1922). His book In search of Henry Lawson was published by Macmillan in 1977. He stated that he was not attempting to write a definitive life, but rather 'a hymn of praise to a man who was great of heart'. As with Clark's other later writings, the book provoked mixed reactions and reviews. It was savagely attacked by Colin Roderick, who had edited Lawson's writings, on grounds of both inaccuracy and ideology and the controversy raged for several weeks.
There are some letters about the research, publishing and launching of the book. Most of them, however, relate to the public response and in particular the highly critical comments by Colin Roderick, Max Harris and some other readers. The correspondents include John Ross (Macmillan), Kay Ronai (Macmillan), Stewart Edwards, Patrick White, Nancy Keesing, Geoffrey Dutton, Geoffrey Fairbairn, Bill Gammage, Heather Radi, Geoffrey Serle, Pauline Fanning, Barbara Penny and Lance Loughrey.
- 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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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.
Contents
Access and use
- Parent Restrictions:
- Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn383394).
- Parent Terms of Access:
- Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
- Location of this collection:
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Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: