The quest for grace, 1989-91

Component identifier:

Series 25

Content Summary:

The second volume of Clark's autobiography, which originally had the title 'Puzzles of the riper years', roughly covered the years 1934-62. It dealt with his time as an undergraduate at Melbourne University, his travels in Europe in 1938-39 and studies at Oxford, his work as a teacher at Geelong Grammar School, his return to Melbourne University as a lecturer in 1944, the beginnings of his interest in Australian history and his early years in Canberra.

The papers comprise several drafts of the book (including the original manuscript), research material, photographs, correspondence and reviews and comments. There are letters from the publisher, but most of the correspondence is from friends, acquaintances and general readers commenting on or criticizing the book. The correspondents include Beryl Hill (Penguin Books), Humphrey McQueen, Geoffrey Dutton, George Zubrzycki, Gordon Powell, Amirah Inglis, Colin Moodie, Bruce Anderson, Michael Thwaites, Elizabeth Riddell, Wilfrid Prest, Bede Nairn, Suzanne Wellborn, Barry Humphries, A. T Yarwood and Bill Gammage.

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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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