Guide to the Papers of Dame Enid Muriel Lyons, 1931-1974

Summary

Collection number:

MS 4852

Creator:

Dame Enid Muriel Lyons

Extent:

(31 archive boxes + 2 small folio boxes + 5 medium folio boxes + 1 map folio + 1 folio packet in SB000578+ 1 folder in SB000970)

Language:

English and English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Dame Enid Muriel Lyons, National Library of Australia, MS 4852, [series and/or file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Available for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

The collection consists mainly of correspondence, but also includes photographs, newspaper cuttings, speeches, and broadcasts, manuscripts of Dame Enid's books So we take comfort, The old haggis and Among the carrion crows, invitations and programs. The correspondence largely comprises condolence letters from individuals and organisations following J.A. Lyons' death in 1939. The remaining letters are from politicians, Tasmanian friends, and numerous organisations - mainly women's groups, religious organisations, and the Liberal Party. This correspondence, and the speeches and broadcasts, cover such topics as maternal and infant welfare, social services and abortion law reform.

Biographical Note:

Enid Muriel Burnell was born on 9 July 1897 at Leesville, Tasmania and educated at state schools and the Teachers' Training College at Hobart. On 28 April 1915 she married Joseph A. Lyons (d. 1939), who was Prime Minister of Australia between 1932 and 1939. The couple had 5 sons and 6 daughters. Enid Lyons accompanied her husband to Royal Jubilee celebrations in England in 1935 and to the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. She was created a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 1937.

In 1943, Dame Enid became the first woman Member of the House of Representatives, holding the seat of Darwin, Tasmania until 1951. In 1949-1951 she was Vice President of the Executive Council and in 1951-1952 a member of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Dame Enid published several books including a book on J. A. Lyons entitled So we take comfort (1965) and an autobiography Among the carrion crows (1972).

She died in 1981 in Ulverstone, Tasmania.

Provenance:

The collection was donated to the Library by Dame Enid Lyons in 1974. Additions were received in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986 and 1989.

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2631909).

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 Dame Enid Muriel Lyons, National Library of Australia, MS 4852, [series and/or file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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