Ambassador to China, 1946-1948

Component identifier:

Series 33

Content Summary:

In March 1946 Copland replaced Sir Frederic Eggleston as Australia's second Minister to China. He remained there until 1948, travelling widely, observing the decline of the Chiang Kai-shek Government and reporting back to his Minister and Department in Canberra. The citation accompanying his Honorary Doctor of Laws at the University of Melbourne in 1963 mentioned particularly that 'his despatches from China early told of the corruption of the old regime and forecast the ultimate victory of the Communists'. The little the collection has on the period forms Series 33.

The series divides between 1946-1948 papers and post 1948 papers. The former group primarily consists of roneoed papers such as notes recording impressions following tours and texts of addresses. Some books in script and photographs including one of Copland presenting credentials dated 23 March 1946 are also here.

The later material, comprising correspondence, addresses and the like - refers in some way to Copland's time in China or to his views about its history. These papers include the Eleventh Morrison Lecture 'The Chinese Social Structure' (Canberra, 1948).

The papers of Lady Copland, which have been added to this collection, contain some 'China papers'. These are carbon copies of notes, memoranda, draft press conference statements, and annexes to despatches marked 'Mrs Copland'. Lady Copland's papers also contain dozens of letters from her husband, written from Shanghai and Nanking and relating to China.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Lady Copland presented the personal papers of Sir Douglas Copland to the National Library in September 1973. Additions to the collection were received from the Copland Family between 1977 and 1981.

Names:

Copland, D.B. (Douglas Berry), 1894-1971

Access and use