Guide to the Papers of James (Jim) Thomas Griffin, 1936-2013

Summary

Collection number:

MS 10462

Creator:

Griffin, James Thomas

Extent:

52 ms boxes, 1 large folio box, 2 map folios

Language:

English and English

Preferred citation:

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of James (Jim) Thomas Griffin, National Library of Australia, MS 10462, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Permission required for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

This collection comprises papers accumulated by Griffin over the course of his life and work. Much of the material relates to Papua New Guinea and reflects Griffin's interest in the history and political affairs of that country, particularly relating to Bougainville, and includes research files, writings by Griffin about a variety of issues, and files relating to prominent Papuans, created whilst undertaking research for a proposed Dictionary of Biography. There are research files relating to books Griffin wrote on John Wren and Daniel Mannix, and a large group of drafts of writings by Griffin that include articles, speeches, seminar and conference papers, book and theatre reviews, and letters to the editor. Other papers relate to Griffin's work at the Townsville College of Advanced Education and his involvement in the publication of The Catholic Worker, including a large run of copies of the journal from 1964-1972.

Biographical Note:

Academic and author. Griffin was born in Warrnambool in 1929. After undertaking study at the University of Melbourne, he spent time in Italy as an interpreter during from 1955 to 1956 after which he returned to Australia and took up a position with Xavier College, Melbourne, as Senior History Master. In 1968, Griffin commenced his long association with the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby firstly as a lecturer in History and later as Senior Lecturer (1970-1975), as a visiting Professor/Director of Extension Studies (1981-1983), as a Senior Research Fellow in History (1986-1987), as Professor of History (1988-1990) and finally as Professor Emeritus (appointed 1991). Other positions Griffin held were Foundation Head of the Department of General Studies at the Townsville College of Advanced Education (1976-1979); Senior Research Fellow, Research School of Pacific and South East Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra (1980, 1984-1985); and Principal Analyst, North Solomons, with the Office of National Assessments, Department of Prime Minister, Canberra (1991-1994). Griffin wrote extensively over many years about issues relating to Papua New Guinea. He was also a book and theatre reviewer and at one time was on the Editorial Board of The Catholic Worker. Griffin's major publications include John Wren: a life reconsidered and Daniel Mannix: beyond the myths. Griffin died in Canberra in 2010.

Provenance:

The papers were acquired from Griffin's widow, Helga Griffin, in 2018.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Pacific

Conditions Governing Access:

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn7890057).

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 James (Jim) Thomas Griffin, National Library of Australia, MS 10462, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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