Correspondence, 1935-1979

Component identifier:

Series 1

Content Summary:

Reflecting Campbell's creative work, interests and relationships within the literary community in Australia, from the early 1930s until his death in 1979. Although there are few of Campbell's own letters in the collection, there are extensive sequences of letters from numerous literary figures, including R.F. Brissenden, Rosemary Dobson, Geoffrey Dutton, A.D. Hope, Douglas Stewart and Patrick White.

Other major correspondents include Bruce Beaver, Alec Bolton, Vincent Buckley, Nancy Cato, John Couper, Beatrice Davis, Bruce Dawe, C. Day Lewis, Russell Drysdale, Geoffrey Fairbairn, R.D. FitzGerald, H.M. Green, Rodney Hall, Kevin Hart, Nancy Keesing, Thomas Keneally, Geoffrey Lehmann, Norman Lindsay, James McAuley, Ronald McCuaig, Nan McDonald, Ann MacLean, James McNeish, John Manifold, Philip Martin, Elyne Mitchell, Les Murray, Roland Robinson, John Rowland, Thomas Shapcott, Kenneth Slessor, Brian Stonier, John Thompson, E.M.W. Tillyard, Russel Ward, Francis Webb and Judith Wright.

These letters contain often detailed comments from writers regarding the progress of their writing and publishing projects, as well as discussing Campbell's work. The letters also reflect Campbell's interests in trout fishing, painting, pottery and life on the land. This series includes family letters, publishing correspondence and author's agreements, together with drafts and typescripts of poems sent to Campbell as poetry editor of The Australian (1964-1965).

Immediate source of acquisition:

The collection was received from David Campbell and his wife, Judy Campbell, in a number of instalments between 1975 and 1988. A further donation was made by Judy Campbell in 2002.

Names:

Campbell, David, 1915-1979

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