General correspondence, 1948-1999

Component identifier:

Series 1

Content Summary:

This series comprises correspondence files arranged alphabetically according to correspondent/subject, with a file of general correspondence for each letter of the alphabet, and individual files for regular or important correspondents. Some copies and drafts of Mulvaney's own letters are included in these files, together with drafts and cuttings of writings by Mulvaney and others, job applications, grant applications, referees' reports, research material and other papers. Many of these files overlap with papers in other series.

Among those represented in this series are archaeologists, historians, politicians, colleagues and friends from Australia and overseas. Significant correspondents include Harry Allen, Jim Allen, David Attenborough, Richard Baker, Peter Baume, Robert Bednarik, Anne Bickford, Jo Birdsell, Geoffrey Blainey, Jim Bowler, John Calaby, Dermot Casey, V. Gordon Childe, J. Desmond Clark, Grahame Clark, John Clegg, R.M. Crawford, Glyn Daniel, Greg Dening, Rosemary Dobson, Charles Dortch, Robert Edwards, Derek Freeman, Peter Gathercole, Ian Glover, Jack Golson, Richard Gould, Tom Griffiths, Rex Harcourt, Ken Inglis, Glynn Isaac, Dick Kimber, Isabel McBryde, F.D. McCarthy, Campbell Macknight, Vincent Megaw, Carmel Schrire, Geoffrey Serle, Wilfred Shawcross, Sir Ninian Stephen, Donald Thomson, Norman Tindale and P.J. Ucko.

Other correspondents featured in the general files include H.W. Arndt, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian Society of Authors, Bruce Bennett, Frank Campbell, Edmund Carpenter, C.B. Christesen, Mavis Thorpe Clark, John Coles, H.C. Coombs, Pat Dobrez, Paul Eggert, Frank Fenner, Sir James Gobbo, John Langmore, Charles Lethbridge, Stuart Macintyre, Fred McKay, Humphrey McQueen, Patrick O'Farrell, Don Ranson, Bruce Rigsby, Peter Sculthorpe, Ken Taylor, James Urry and Jerzy Zubrzycki.

The earliest correspondence dates from Mulvaney's undergraduate days at the University of Melbourne. The files reflect Mulvaney's writings, research interests and fieldwork; his roles on various committees and commissions of inquiry; and his work at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies (later the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies), the Australian National University, the Australian Heritage Commission and the Australian Academy of the Humanities. These files also reveal Mulvaney's prolific output of references for job applicants; support for nominations for honours or elections to membership of various bodies; and comments on articles, theses and submissions.

Topics documented in this series include changes and developments in the study of archaeology and Australian history; the acquisition, ownership and conservation of cultural property; research into and the protection and conservation of heritage sites and regions; environmental issues and legislation; the role of the intellectual in Australian society; and the establishment and development of the National Museum of Australia.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The original instalment of this collection (MS 9615) was donated by Professor Mulvaney under the Cultural Gifts Program in September 1999. Further instalments were received in 2013 and 2017.

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