General correspondence, 1885-1940

Component identifier:

Series 1

Content Summary:

This series contains letters, telegrams and postcards, arranged chronologically, with undated letters placed last. There is family correspondence between Fisher, his wife, his brothers, and his children; letters of congratulations on Fisher's election as Prime Minister and appointment as High Commissioner; and letters of condolence to Mrs Fisher on her husband's death in 1928. Most of the correspondence, however, comprises letters sent to Fisher while in London as High Commissioner (1915-1921). Primarily from old Labor Party colleagues, these letters cover much of the contemporary political scene in Australia, including the activities of the Prime Minister, W.M. Hughes, the conscription referenda, and the war.

The correspondents include the Queensland Labor men, George Ryland, Matthew Reid, and W. Demaine; Fisher's former parliamentary colleagues J. C. Watson, Frank Tudor, D. C. McGrath, James Page, Albert Gardiner, W. G. Higgs, Josiah Thomas and G. F. Pearce; the war correspondent Keith A. Murdoch; and army officers, Colonel Anderson and General Birdwood.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library in several instalments by Fisher's family between 1961 and 1990.

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