Guide to the Papers of Thomas Shapcott, 1949-1997
Collection context
Summary
- Collection number:
- MS 5577
- Creator:
- Shapcott, Thomas W. (Thomas William), 1935-
- Extent:
- 1.05 metres and (7 boxes)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
- Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Thomas Shapcott, National Library of Australia, MS 5577, [box and file number]'.
- Availability:
- Available
- Access conditions:
- Part available for research ; Part requires permission for research. Not for loan.
Background
- Content Summary:
- The earlier papers are largely comprised of draft and typescript manuscripts of 'Time on Fire', 'A Taste of Salt Water', 'Shabbytown Calendar', 'Begin with Walking' and many uncollected poems, together with correspondence with Charles Blackman and writers such as R.A. Simpson, Craig Powell, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Peter Skrzynecki, Douglas Stewart, James McAuley, Richard Tipping, John Tranter and Robert Adamson. Also included is a group of correspondence with Gwen Harwood and Rodney Hall, which incorporates drafts of the latter's 'The Law of Karma', 'Heaven in a Way' and 'Romulus and Remus, a progression of poems'. The 1998 addition relates principally to Shapcott's directorship of the National Book Council and includes correspondence and notes documenting his role in the Council's activities. Also represented is Shapcott's participation as a judge in many Australian poetry and literary competitions and delegate at overseas festivals, as well as a number of photographs of the poet and his family.
- Biographical Note:
-
For much of his career a practising accountant and part-time writer, Tom Shapcott has published more than 36 titles including collections of poems, essays, short stories, novels and books for young readers. In 1992 he was appointed Executive Director of the National Book Council, a position which he held until 1997 when he accepted up the post of inaugural Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
Date Event 1935 Born Ipswich, Queensland, 21 March 1940-1948 Educated West Ipswich State School and Blair State School 1949-1950 Attended Ipswich Grammar School 1951-1961 Employee of H.S. Shapcott, Public Accountant 1960 Married Margaret Hodge 1961 Publication of 'Time on Fire' for which he is awarded the Grace Leven Prize for Poetry 1963-1968 Part-time Bachelor of Arts degree student, University of Queensland 1967 'A Taste of Salt Water', which was awarded the Sir Thomas White Memorial Prize and the Myer Charity Trust Award 1972 'Begin with Walking' 1972-1978 Sole practice, Shapcott Shapcott, later specialising in taxation for writers, creative artists and academics 1974-1976 Deputy Chairman, Literature Board of the Australia Council 1975 'Shabbytown Calendar' 1978-1983 Receives the Canada-Australia Literary Award 1978-1980 Full-time writer, including Senior Writing Literature Board Fellowship 1980 Divorced Margaret Hodge 1980-1983 Treasurer, Australian Society of Authors 1982 Married Judith Rodriguez 1983 Travel in Europe and Canada on literary research 1983-1990 Director, Literature Board of the Australia Council and member of a number of its specialist committees 1989 Awarded Order of Australia, Honorary Doctor of Letters, Macquarie University, Golden Wreath of Struga International Poetry Festival, Yugoslavia 1990-1992 Full-time writer, Category A Literature Board Fellowship and Treasurer, Australian Society of Authors 1991-1997 Executive Director, National Book Council 1992- Director, Copyright Agency Ltd 1995 Received Christopher Brennan Award, Fellowship of Australian Writers 1997- Professor of Creative Writing, University of Adelaide - Provenance:
-
The collection was received in five instalments in 1970, 1973 (two consignments), 1977 and 1998.
- Box List:
-
File Box 1-6 1 7-16 2 17-27 3 28-32 4 33-40 5 41-48 6 49-56 7
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Conditions Governing Access:
- Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2623884).
- Conditions Governing Use:
- 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.
- Preferred citation:
- Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Thomas Shapcott, National Library of Australia, MS 5577, [box and file number]'.
- Location of this collection:
-
Parkes PlaceCanberra ACT 2600, Australia
- Contact: