General correspondence, 1937-91

 
Component identifier:
Series 1
Content Summary:

This series comprises a large collection of business correspondence and personal correspondence from both family and close friends. In some instances, Martin had arranged the correspondence into separate files. Mostly, however, the correspondence is interfiled. Family correspondents include Martin's father and mother, his sisters, his twin brother Rudolph Detsinyi, his wife Richenda, his son Jan and his cousin Charles Hayes. Folders 6-9 in particular contain a number of letters from Martin's family. Family friends include Bill Irwin, journalist and newspaper editor and Dr MiryamMichaelis. After emigrating to Israel, Michaelis commenced writing poetry in German and Hebrew. Many of her letters are in German. There is also correspondence from the Kingsbury family in India, for whom Martin set up a program of financial support.

Prior to 1969, Martin filed business correspondence, correspondence relating to political activities and academic correspondence separately to general correspondence. These categories of correspondence can be found at Series 3, 4 and 5 respectively. After this date, Martin filed all correspondence together. Until 1977, he also filed literary correspondence separately and this can be found at Series 2. After this date letters from writers were included in general correspondence, and many of the writers listed in Appendix I(under Related Documentation tab) can also be found in this Series, Other notable writers in this series include Ralph de Boissière, Lloyd Davies, Elizabeth Jolley, Walter McVitty and Olive Pell.

General correspondence is arranged chronologically by year. Until 1969, the papers are arranged chronologically within the year. After 1969, Martin filed the papers alphabetically within the year.

Immediate source of acquisition:
The main body of David Martin Papers was acquired partly under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme and partly by outright purchase by the National Library in September 1983. Additional instalments were purchased over the period 1985-97. The papers document the long career of one of Australia's most prolific writers.

Contents

Access and use

Parent Restrictions:
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1111685).
Parent Terms of Access:
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: