Rationalist and freethought movement, 1841-1984

Component identifier:

Series 12

Content Summary:

Articles, correspondence, publications, speeches, photographs, cuttings and other papers relating to Pearce's interest in rationalism and rationalist organisations in New Zealand, England and Australia. There are also files relating to J.S. Langley's dispute with the Rationalist Association of Australia, and Pearce's consequent disassociation from the Association.

Other series containing material on rationalist topics include series 1 (correspondence), series 4 (notebooks) and series 7 (writings by Pearce).

Immediate source of acquisition:

This collection is an amalgamation of material previously held at MS 2765, MS 6248, MS 1657, MS 1737, MS 1528 and MS 2563. The earlier components of the collection were received from Harry Hastings Pearce in seven instalments between 1965 and 1983. Pearce's library, comprising over 14,000 books, serials, pamphlets and manuscripts, was transferred to the Library in two instalments in 1984 and one in 1985 and has been held together as a collection. The manuscript component was separated from the published materials and transferred to the Manuscript Collection in 1986 and 1987. Loose cuttings were discarded from the collection.

Names:

Harry Pearce

Contents

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