Papers of Les Murray, 1930-2022 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 1099918
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Murray, Les A. (Les Allan), 1938-2019
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Permission required for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1930-2022]
- 15.42 metres (62 boxes) + 6 archives boxes +3 phase boxes + 1 medium folio box + 2 packets + 1 folder.
- Summary:
-
MS 5332 comprises correspondence, drafts of most of his poems, newspaper cuttings, notes, drawings and printed material. Correspondents include: Ang Cheon Geok, Iain Bamforth, David Campbell, Gary Catalano, Hal Colebatch, Jennifer Compton, Bruce Dawe, Bob Ellis, Peter Goldsworthy, Alan Gould, Christopher Koch, Andrew Lansdown, Penelope Nelson, Robin Norling, Mark O'Connor, Geoff Page, Peter Porter, Philip Roberts, Myra Schneider, Douglas Stewart, Chris Wallace-Crabbe and Derek Whitelock (56 boxes + 1 folio box + 1 folder).
The MS Acc12.024 instalment includes edited manuscript and typescript drafts of poems, cuttings about Murray together with reviews of his published works, and ephemera from literary events. The drafts of poems are interleaved with other papers throughout the installment, and are mostly undated. However, adjacent papers provide a possible date range. There is extensive correspondence with friends and colleagues, letters from readers, and general correspondence, mostly with people in the literary sphere including publishers, editors and coordinators of literary events. Correspondents include Peter Alexander, Gary Clark, Hal Colebatch, Asha Das, Suzanne Edgar, Thomas Eichhorn, John Foulcher, Ang Chin Geok, Thierry Gillyboeuf, Peter Goldsworthy, Alan Gould, Beverley Kingston, John Kinsella, Andrew Lansdown, Margitt Lehbert, Gwenyth Lewis, Morris Lurie, Dennis O'Driscoll, Geoff Page, Anuraag Sharma, Myra Schneider, Andrew Slattery, Barry Spurr, and John Whitworth (9 boxes).
The MS Acc22.060 instalment includes source material for Les Murray’s posthumous work: Continuous Creation; Last Poems. The material is described on page xii of ‘Continuous Creation’ and includes 'The Great Books' - three large scrapbooks containing postcards, photographs, images, verse and other source material for his poetry. Also includes the contents of a large cardboard box in Murray’s study at Bunyah, NSW which housed handwritten drafts of poems, correspondence, posters, and pictorial material. (4 ms boxes + 3 small phase boxes + 2 packets)
- Biography/History:
-
One of Australia's most respected and prolific poets, acclaimed both nationally and internationally. After publication of his first book of poetry in 1965, Murray has gone on to publish over 30 books of his work. He is one of Australia's most influential literary critics, a regular contributor of book reviews and literary articles to newspapers and journals, has acted as poetry reader for the publisher Angus & Robertson, was editor of Poetry Australia, and was literary editor of the journal Quadrant. Murray has won many literary awards, including the Grace Leven Prize (1980 and 1990), The Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry (1984 and 1993), the Petrarch Prize (1995), the T.S. Eliot Award (1996) and the Queens Gold Medal for Poetry (1999, on the recommendation of Ted Hughes). In 1989 Murray was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.
- Notes:
-
- Cultural sensitivity warning: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this collection contains names, descriptions and images of Indigenous people and other content that may be culturally sensitive. Details are included in the finding aid.
- Manuscript reference no: MS 5332, MS Acc12.024, MS Acc22.060.
- Cited In:
- Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; D917.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid available online.
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1930-2022
- Occupation:
- Poets
- Terms of Use:
- Permission is required to copy Les Murray's copyright material for research purposes.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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