Realist Writers' Groups

Containers:

Box 138-140 (MS 4887)

Component identifier:

Series 23

Content Summary:

The Realist Writers' Group was formed in Melbourne in 1944 as 'a working class literary movement'. Hardy joined the group in 1945 and when he moved to Sydney in 1954 he re-formed the Sydney group. A national council of Realist Writers was set up in 1960 with Hardy the foundation president. In 1966 he was created a life member.

The Melbourne group published the Realist writer from 1952 until 1954 when it was incorporated in Overland and edited by Stephen Murray-Smith. Dissatisfaction with Overland's editorial policy led, in 1958, to the Sydney group publishing its own journal, The Realist Writer, edited by Hardy. He remained editor until 1962 and a member of the editorial board until 1966. From 1960 The Realist Writer became the organ of the national council and in 1964 its title was changed to The Realist.

The series contains records of the Sydney Realist Writers' Group (1954-66) the National Council of Realist Writers (1960-1966), correspondence between Hardy and contributions to The Realist Writer (1958-64) and The Realist (1964-66) and the correspondence between Hardy and Stephen Murray-Smith concerning the policies of Overland during the years 1955-1958.

Contributions to the realist publications include Mona Brand, Betty Collins, Dorothy Hewett, Mervyn Lilley, Joan Hendry, Enid Morton and Lea Cox. Copies of the Melbourne Realist Writer v.1 nos. 1-8, March 1952 - April 1954, The Realist Writer (Sydney) v.1 nos 1-4, 1960, v.1 no. 1 1961, no. 13, 1963 and The Realist, nos. 15 and 16, 1964 are also included.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of the writer Frank Hardy were purchased by the Library in seven consignments between 1975 and 1988.

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