Caroline Martha David, 1856-1951

Component identifier:

Series 2

Content Summary:

In this series are Caroline David's 'unscientific' diary kept at Funafuti and later published by John Murray, London 1899, as well as a letter to a friend Mrs Scott, concerning the diary.

There is considerable material on the Samurai sword, its history, press cuttings, photographs and correspondence. The sword was presented to Professor David in 1912 by Lieutenant NobuShirase, leader of the first Japanese Antarctic expedition. Shirase's ship was forced into Sydney Harbour when supplies ran low, and the hostile Australian authorities impounded the vessel and treated the crew as spies. They were eventually rescued by David and as a token of goodwill and gratitude he was presented with the sword that had been presented to Shirase by the Emperor of Japan. The 350 year old sword, worth a reported five figure sum, is on display at the the Australian Museum as part of the Antarctic, geological and scientific display.

Included in the series is a letter to her future husband, found in his locked box of treasures, on faith, the Church, and their love; a 29 page typescript of a biography of Caroline by Joyce Collins (1981); and the manuscript of 'Parental responsibility in education', a paper read before a womens' club, 1902.

In letters, Caroline (Cara) is often addressed as 'Mootie', a corruption of the German word for 'mother'.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were purchased by the Library in 1995 from Ms Anne Edgeworth

Names:

David Family

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