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The Deakin Papers form one of the finest political collections in Australia. They cover most of Deakin's life, and, above all, document the Federation movement of the 1890s and the first decade of the Commonwealth. In addition to the extensive correspondence and other papers on Australian politics and government, there are many diaries, notebooks and manuscripts in which Deakin set down his religious and philosophical reflections, extracts and commentaries on his readings, verse and other literary writings. There is a wide range of material in the papers, including correspondence, diaries, notebooks, literary manuscripts, legal briefs, official documents and publications, press clippings, pamphlets, books, certificates, posters, menus, programs, receipts, photographs, briefcases and memorabilia. Most of the correspondence was written to Deakin, but there are many letters that he wrote to his family and drafts or copies of some of his other letters.

Material in this collection dates from 1869 until 1970, and consists of correspondence, notes, diaries, photographs, certificates, programs, invitations, publications, scrap-books and loose press cuttings.