Guide to the Papers of Humphrey McQueen, 1964-2021

Summary

Collection number:

MS 4809; MS Acc16.001; MS Acc18.097; MS Acc21.016

Creator:

McQueen, Humphrey

Extent:

17.1 metres and (114 MS Boxes + 1 Map Folio)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Humphrey McQueen, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file number]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Part available for research; part requires permission for research during the lifetime of Humphrey McQueen. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

MS 4809 comprises personal and business correspondence, cuttings, notes, diaries, photographs, notebooks and reviews of some of Humphrey McQueen's books. There is also research material, drafts and typescripts relating to A new Britannia (1975), Social sketches of Australia, 1888-1975 (1978), The black swan of trespass (1979), Gone tomorrow (1982), Social sketches (1991), Tokyo world (1991), Japan to the rescue (1991), Tom Roberts (1996), Suspect history (1997), Temper democratic (1998) and The essence of capitalism (2002). The collection also includes papers relating to McQueen's activities as a visiting lecturer and to the 1998 exhibition and conference "Typically? Australian" held at the Brisbane City Gallery.The major correspondents include Neil Beckhaus, Ruth Blair, Clem Christesen, Peter Curtis, Jenny Darling (McQueen's agent), Tom Fitzgerald, Dorothy Green, Nick Jose, Joan Kerr, Henry Mayer, Brian Laver, Kathy Lette, Caroline Lurie, Stephen McDonald, Ben McGuire, Judy McQueen, Nicholas Pounder, Graham Rowlands and Walter Struve. The subjects of the correspondence include McQueen's work as a freelance writer, book reviewer, art critic and independent scholar, his travels, comments on politics, operas, concerts, art exhibitions, books he read and personal news (101 boxes, 1 fol. item).The Acc10.152 instalment consists of typescripts (some annotated), correspondence, newspaper clippings and ephemera. Significant projects include Hiding to nothing (collaboration with Tony Twigg, Sarah de Jong and Euan Upston); Only joking: a play in two acts; A framework of flesh: Builders' Labourers battle for health and safety; A new Britannia; Social sketches of Australia; and, the Socialist Alliance. Significant correspondents include Bernard Smith, Judy McQueen, Walter Struve, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Christos Tsiolkas, Kathy Lette, Caroline Lurie, Jack Mundey, Lindsay Fraser, Kathy Bail, Greg Mackie and Ruth Blair (6 boxes).The Acc16.001 instalment consists of an unpublished novel typescript on Tom Roberts, appointments diaries, and correspondence.The Acc18.097 instalment consists of personal and work correspondence between Humphrey McQueen and others, drafts of papers to be published, and radio scripts.The Acc21.016 instalment consists of correspondence with Bruce McFarlane (weekly exchanges), Ted Reithmuller, Peter Lyssiotis. General correspondence including with the ABC. Copies of speeches and a living obituary for Bruce McFarlane.

Immediate Source of Acquisition:

The collection was partly donated to the Library by McQueen and partly purchased by the Library from him in several instalments from 1974.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Arts
Literature
Arts

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1889731).

Conditions Governing Use:

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.

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Humphrey McQueen, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file number]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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