Subject files, 1936-91

Component identifier:

Series 29

Content Summary:

The files in this series were all created by Clark, but they did not form a definite sequence. Some of them provide documentation of events, organisations or projects in which Clark was involved, such as his Order of Australia award in 1975, his membership of the Australian Society of Authors, and his assistance to the Parliament House Construction Authority in the early 1980s. These files may contain letters, but they mostly comprise roneoed papers, cuttings and printed items. The other files, especially those on individuals, are essentially reference files and consist largely of cuttings, photocopies and printed items. Occasionally, however, there will be some letters. For instance, the files on David Campbell contain letters about the funeral oration delivered by Clark in 1979.

It should be noted that in the case of some individuals, such as Eleanor Dark, Patricia Dobrez, Judah Waten and Patrick White, there are files of letters in Series 1, whereas the files in this Series contains cuttings or other items about these writers.

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 In his will Clark bequeathed his papers and unpublished works to the Library on condition that they be closed until the year 2000.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