Guide to the Papers of Lord Tennyson
MS 479
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Hallam Tennyson
- Title
- Papers of Lord Tennyson
- Date Range
- 1895-1919
- Collection Number
- MS 479
- Extent
- 2 metres (9 boxes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Papers of Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson; his wife Audrey Georgina Florence, Lady Tennyson; Alfred Aubrey Tennyson, 2nd son of Hallam; Zacyntha Boyle, mother of Lady Tennyson; and miscellaneous papers. The papers consist of diaries, commissions, secret despatches, family correspondence, correspondence relating to administration and defence, telegrams, drafts of speeches, accounts, newspaper cuttings, invitations, photographs and passports.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2245809).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Lord Tennyson, National Library of Australia, MS 479, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
On 1 May 1957 a letter from the President of the Senate was addressed to Harold Christopher, 4th Baron Tennyson, requesting the transfer of any papers relating to Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson and his periods of office as Governor of South Australia and Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. On 9 May 1957 Lord Tennyson replied, stating his willingness to transfer such papers as were available, and pointing out that although classed as 'heirlooms' there was no objection to them being placed in the Commonwealth National Library 'on permanent loan'. In March of 1958 the Liaison Officer of the National Library in London reported that he had inspected the material and that arrangements for its shipment to Australia had been made. The material was received into the National Library early in June 1958, and a letter of thanks was sent to Lord Tennyson on 12 June 1958.
Related Materials
Other papers of Lord Tennyson are held in the Manuscript Collection at MS 254, MS 1553, MS 1851, MS 1963, MS 2237 and MS 2409.
Biographical Note
Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson, was the oldest surviving son of Alfred, 1st Baron Tennyson, Poet Laureate, and Emily Tennyson (nee Sollwood). He was born at Twickenham on 11 August 1852, and educated at Marlborough College, Trinity College Cambridge, and the 'Inner Temple'. For many years he acted as his father's secretary, and following his father's death and his succeeding to the barony on 6 October 1892, he wrote a memoir of the poet. Later, as the 2nd Baron Tennyson, he was prepared to accept a colonial governorship - a fact which may not be unrelated to his father's interest in Imperial Federation. In 1899 he was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of South Australia. He took up office on 10 April 1899, and continued in it until 17 July 1902 (from 1 January 1901 - the inauguration of the Australian Commonwealth - the designation 'Commander-in-Chief' was omitted from his title).
Lord Tennyson relinquished his position in South Australia in order to take up the appointment of Acting-Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, following the resignation of the 7th Earl of Hopetoun. Lord Tennyson served as Acting-Governor-General from17 July 1902 to 9 January 1903, from which latter date he was confirmed in the appointment. He continued to serve as Governor-General until 21 January 1904 when he returned to England. Lord Tennyson did not undertake any subsequent governorships, although in March 1903 he indicated his readiness to serve as the Governor-General of Canada, and in November 1905 he was offered the governorship of Madras. In 1901 while still in South Australia, Lord Tennyson was Deputy Governor of the Isle of Wight.
On 25 June 1884 Lord Tennyson married Audrey Georgiana Florence Boyle, daughter of Charles John Boyle and Zacyntha Boyle (née Moore), and had issue - 1. Lionel Hallam, born 7 November 1889, died 6 June 1951 (3rd Baron Tennyson) 2. Alfred Aubrey, born 2 May 1891, killed in action March 1918. 3. Harold Courtenay, born 27 April 1896, killed in action 29 January 1916.
Lady Tennyson died on 7 December 1916. Lord Tennyson married secondly, Mary Emily widow of Andrew Kinsman Hichens, and daughter of Charles Robert Princep, on 27 July 1918 (she died on 20 July 1931). Lord Tennyson died on 2 December 1928.
Lord Tennyson was created K.C.M.G. in 1899 and G.C.M.G. in 1903, and was made a Privy Councillor in 1905.
For additional biographical information, see the London Times of 3 December 1928, p.19, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage and Christopher Cunneen 'The role of Governor-General in Australia, 1901-1927' (PhD, Australian National University, 1973).
Item Descriptions
Class. PAPERS OF HALLAM, 2ND BARON TENNYSON
Series 1. Commissions signed by Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, 1899-1902
Appointing Lord Tennyson Governor and Commander-in-Chief of South Australia on 18 February 1899 (File 1)
Dormant commission appointed Lord Tennyson to administer the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on 10 July 1901 (File 3)
Series 2. Diaries, 1 Jan - 1 Dec 1903
Entries are both of a private and official nature, and cover part of Lord Tennyson's term of office as Governor of South Australia, and most of his term as Governor-General. Pinned to pages of the diaries were many letters received, drafts of letters sent, drafts of speeches, memoranda, newspaper cuttings, and a sketch. In order to preserve these items, as well as the diaries themselves, the extra items have been removed and maintained separately. So that the association of the diary entry and any item may not be lost, a note has been placed in the diary at every page from which items have been removed, showing what has been removed. In addition, each item so removed has been provided with a reference to the page and diary from which it was taken. Drafts of letters (and telegrams) occur within the diary entries themselves, and it should be noted that some of the dates on the extra items may be outside the period covered by the diaries themselves.
Indexes to letters received, drafts of letters sent, some of the telegrams and to other miscellaneous material in this series will be found in Appendix 1 (part A and B - under related documents tab).
Series 3. Secret despatches to the Secretary of State for Colonies, 17 Jul 1902 - 12 Jan 1904
Many of the despatches are in code, but with translation or paraphrase supplied. The despatches are in long-hand, but typed copies of enclosures have been inserted at appropriate pages. The volume is marked 'Private Despatches' on the spine and 'Secret Despatches' on page 1. The despatches cover a wide variety of official administration, recommendations and comments.
Series 4. Correspondence relating to the Secretary of the Executive Council and the conduct of the Governor-General's correspondence, 8 Jan 1903 - 23 Dec 1903
This series was maintained separately by Lord Tennyson and deals with the administrative arrangements relating to the Governor-General's despatches and his private secretary, a matter which led to some friction between Lord Tennyson and Sir Edmund Barton, the Prime Minister of Australia. Some other topics are dealt with in the correspondence.
For an index to this series, see Appendix 2. (under related documents tab) References to the Secretary of the Executive Council and the conduct of the Governor-General's correspondence will also be found in other series, notably Series 3.
Series 5. Letters received, 2 Sep. 1895 - 31 March 1924
For an index to this series, see Appendix 3 (under related documents tab). Additional letters received and sent by Lord Tennyson will be found in Series 5, 17, 20, 21, 24, 38, and 50.
Series 6. Records relating to Australian military and naval defence, 1902 - 1903
Statement on naval defence of Australia. By G.S.C. [Sir George Sydenham Clarke, Governor of Victoria.] 28 August ? fo. 5p (File 1)
Copies of telegrams between the Prime Minister of Australia (Sir Edmund Barton) in England conferring with the Admiralty and War Office, and the acting Prime Minister in Australia on the subject of naval and military defence, 6 Jul 1902 - 15 Aug 1902. fo. 5p (File 2)
Letter from Maj.-Gen. Sir Edward Hutton, G.O.C. Australian Military Forces, to Lord Tennyson on the subject of military defence - 15 Jan 1903, 4to 3p., together with an enclosure by the same writer on same subject, dated Jan 1903, fo. 2p., and a file of printed items consisting of :- (File 3)
(a) Hutton, Maj.-Gen. Sir Edward The defence and defence power of Australia. Melb., Angus and Robertson [1902]. 100 p.
(b) Australia - Parliament House of Representatives. Military forces of the Commonwealth.[Melb.] Govt. Printer, 1902. fo. 8p.
(c) Australia - Parliament. Annual report upon the military forces of the Commonwealth of Australia.Melb.,Govt Printer, 1903. fo. 38p.
(d) Australia - Parliament. Military forces of the Commonwealth - Scheme of organisation ... [Melb.,Govt Printer] 1903. fo. 27p.
(e) Australia - Army. Peace and war establishments of the military forces of the Commonwealth of Australia. [Melb.,Govt Printer] 1902. 31p.
(f) Australia - Army. Tables showing the allotment of the whole of the existing units to the field forces and the garrison troops ...Melb.,Govt Printer, 1903. 20p.
(g) Typescript copy of memorandum: Sir Edward Hutton to the Minister of Defence on the subject of transcontinental railway to Kalgoorlie and its relation to defence, 14 May 1903. fo. 3p.
Series 7. Drafts of coded telegrams despatched and received, 19 Dec 1902 - 28 Nov 1903
These are official communications addressed principally to the Colonial Office in Great Britain, to State Governors, and to Commonwealth Prime Ministers and Ministers. Translations are supplied.
Series 8. Telegrams received and drafts of telegrams sent, 15 May 1903 - 20 Jan 1904
This series includes some official communications, but is principally comprised of telegrams relating to personal and domestic affairs.
Series 9. Telegrams received and drafts of telegrams sent between Lord Tennyson and Lord Northcote (3rd Governor-General of Australia), 8 Aug 1903 - 13 Jan 1904
These telegrams relate to Lord Northcote's arrival in Australia and to certain domestic arrangements between Lord Tennyson and Lord Northcote. Some of the telegrams are in the form of typescript copies, and some drafts are in code (translations supplied).
Series 10. Miscellanea, 1900-1903
Series 11. Drafts of speeches
The drafts are undated and over a variety of occasion. Drafts of other speeches will be found in other series, notably Series 2.
Series 12. Letters received and drafts of speeches relating to Lord Tennyson's visit to Ballarat, Victoria, 15 - 16 Oct 1903
Other material relating to this visit will be found in the drafts of speeches, Series 11.
Series 13. Receipted accounts, May 1902 - Jan 1904
These have been arranged in order of date of account (or of receipt if account date is not given). In some cases the accounts were already grouped in folders and this arrangement has been preserved, the individual accounts being arranged in the order shown on the outside of the folder.
Series 14. Shortages inventories, correspondence, and memoranda relating to Government House Melbourne and Government House Sydney, 1902-1904
This series also includes summaries of gas and electricity charges for Government House Sydney and Government House Melbourne for the period 1902-03.
Series 15. Visitors' book, 16 April 1899 - 6 Dec 1903
This visitors' book was maintained at Government House Adelaide and Marble Hill (the South Australian summer residence), and at Government House Melbourne and Sydney. It includes periods when Lord Tennyson, as Governor-General, resided at Marble Hill, South Australia.
Comprises 1 volume (18 cm x 23 cm)
Series 16. Letters (personal) received from Lady Tennyson, 26 Jul - 8 Feb 1904
This series includes some undated and incomplete letters.
Series 17. Drafts and copies of letters sent by Lord Tennyson, 6 Apr 1900 - 1 Dec 1903
Further drafts and copies of letters sent will be found in other series, notably Series 2. For an index to the letters in this series (i.e. Series 17) see Appendix 4. (under related documents tab)
Series 18. Warrants of the Chancery of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, 1899-1903
Appointing Lord Tennyson Knight Commander, 16 Feb 1899. (With a covering letter from the Chancery dated 13 March 1899, and a printed copy of - The statutes of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St. George. London, 1899) (File 1)
Series 19. Newspaper cuttings, 1899 - 1900
These cuttings have been mounted on foolscap sheets in the National Library. They were originally maintained by Lord Tennyson in envelopes (and this order has been preserved) which he titled by subject as follows:-
Schools - Teaching [includes also MS drafts of a speech by Lord Tennyson, and a MS note by Lord Tennyson on South Australian schools) (File 1)
Duke of York - Cadets - Literary Societies Union [includes also MS draft of a speech by Lord Tennyson and cuttings relating to the Royal family] (File 2)
Libraries - New [South Australian] Art Gallery [includes MS note on books, by Lord Tennyson] (File 6)
Series 20. Newspaper cuttings, 1899 - 1903
For an index to the correspondence contained in this series, see Appendix 5. (under related documents tab)
Vol. I 3 Feb 1899 - 3 Mar 1900. This volume includes material on the South Australian Bushmen's Contingent, the arrival of Lord Tennyson in South Australia, as well as correspondence, telegrams, photographs, and theatrical programmes (38cm x 26cm x 6cm) (File 1)
Series 21. Newspaper cuttings - 'Commonwealth' series, Feb 1900 - 18 Oct 1906 (+ 1 item of 15 March 1910)
For an index to correspondence contained in this series, see Appendix 6. (under related documents tab)
Vol. I Feb 1900 - Nov 1902. This volume includes material relating to the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia, the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Adelaide, Lord Tennyson's appointment as Governor-General, as well as correspondence and photographs (38cm x 26cm x 3cm, Folio) (File 1)
Series 22. Newspaper cuttings, 21 Oct 1902 - 14 Dec 1902
These cuttings were made by press cutting agencies in England, and the items relate to the announcement of Lord Tennyson's appointment as Governor-General. They have been arranged chronologically and then according to the newspaper title. One item relating to the subject of copyright (and dated 24 June 1889) is also included in this series.
Series 24. Newspaper cuttings, 1902
For and index to correspondence contained in this series, see Appendix 7. (under related documents tab)
Volume of newspaper cuttings (File 1)
This volume contains cuttings from English papers relating to Lord Tennyson as Governor-General of Australia. Also included in the volume are telegrams and letters, principally relating to Lord Tennyson's appointment as Governor-General of Australia, covering the period 22 Sep 1902 - 20 Dec 1902 (1 vol., 31cm x 24cm x 2cm).
Series 25. Invitations (printed) to Lord and Lady Tennyson to attend inaugural Commonwealth celebrations in Melbourne, 1901
From the Government of Victoria to attend a Conversazione, Exhibition Building, Melbourne, 7 May 1901. 31cm x 36cm (File 2)
From Ministers of State for Australia to attend the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, Exhibition, Melbourne, 9 May 1901. 31cm x 36cm (File 3)
Series 26. Parliamentary addresses to Lord Tennyson, 1903
Series 27. Illuminated addresses presented to Lord Tennyson, 1899?-1903
Loyal address from City of Melbourne upon the occasion of Lord Tennyson being appointed Governor-General of Australia. Melbourne, 1 Dec 1902. 38cm x 28cm (File 2)
Address of welcome from Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales at the third annual Commonwealth Exhibition of the Society. Sydney, April 1903. (Unsigned) 33cm x 47cm (File 3)
Series 29. Miscellaneous printed material
For and index to items in this series, see Appendix 8. (under related documents tab)
Series 30. Printed material relating to the State Bank of South Australia and to state advances, 1895 - 1900
This series includes copies of acts of the South Australian Parliament, regulations made under acts, forms, tables, financial statements and publicity matter.
Series 31. Photograph albums, 1899 - 1912
This series is held by the Pictorial Section.
Album of photographs of public and domestic occasions in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, including vice-regal residences and interiors. 97 photographs. n.d. 31cm x 26cm x 2cm (File 1)
Album of photographs taken at and near Oodnadatta and in the far north of South Australia. 44 photographs (approximately quarter plate). 1912. 21cm x 26cm (File 2)
Album of photographs of Aborigines - half length portraits of adult males and females. 48 photographs. n.d. 23cm x 18cm x 5cm (File 3)
Album of photographs of Aborigines - principally head and shoulder studies of adult males and females. 61 photographs (approximately quarter plate). n.d. 28cm x 23cm x 3cm (File 4)
Series 32. Photographs and other illustrated material
This series is held by the Pictorial Section.
7 Photographs of Government House, Melbourne (one annotated by Lord Tennyson). c.1903. Each 18cm x 23cm (File 1-7)
5 Photographs relating to the unveiling of a memorial tablet to commemorate the centenary of the visit of Capt. Matthew Flinders to Encounter Bay, 1902: (File 8-12)
(a) 2 Photographs of the tablet at the Bluff, Victor Harbour, each 20cm x 28cm, 1902.
(b) Photograph of Encounter Bay looking towards the Bluff, 1902, 21cm x 28cm
(c) Photograph of the causeway, Victor Harbour, 1902, 21cm x 28 cm
(d) Photograph of the breakwater, Victor Harbour, 1902, 21cm x 28cm
3 Photographs relating to the unveiling of a memorial tablet on Flinders' Column, Mount Lofty, South Australia, to commemorate the centenary of Capt. Matthew Flinders' discovery and naming of Mount Lofty in 1902: (File 13-15)
(a) Photograph of Flinders' Column, 1902, 21cm x 28cm
(b) Photograph of unveiling tablet on Flinders' Column, 1902, 18cm x 23cm
(c) Photograph of tablet on Flinders' column, 1902, 13cm x 18cm
Panoramic photograph of North Adelaide from a point near North Terrace, c. 1900. 26cm x 36cm (File 16)
Photograph of the interior of Government House, Adelaide, showing stained glass windows, c.1901. 15cm x 20cm (File 17)
Photograph of members of the South Australian Bushmen's Contingent drawn up before the Town Hall, Adelaide, with Lord Tennyson arriving to review them, c. 1900. 18cm x 15 ½ (File 18)
Photograph of Lord Tennyson unveiling a tablet on Flinders' Column, Mount Lofty, South Australia, commemorating the centenary of the discovery and naming of Mount Lofty by Capt. Matthew Flinders, 1902. 8cm x 28cm (File 19)
Wild flowers from the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Booklet of 13 water-colour sketches, n.d. 14p. 17½ x 12½cm (File 23)
Autograph of Lord Alfred Tennyson on fly-leaf (?) of A book of golden deeds. Lond., MacMillan, 1876. (Fly-leaf, and title page only, present) (File 25)
Series 33. Passports issued to Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson, and Audrey Georgiana Florence, Lady Tennyson, 21 Jan 1915
These passports carry a photograph of Lord and Lady Tennyson.
Series 34. Tennyson medal - specimen (boxed)
In 1900 Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson presented the sum of £100 to the University of Adelaide to provide medals as awards for English Literature at the Public Examinations. The gift provided for the award of a gold medal for Leaving Honours standard, and silver medals each for Leaving and Intermediate standard examinations. The awards continue to be made.
Class. PAPERS OF AUDREY GEORGIANA FLORENCE, LADY TENNYSON, 1900-1909
Series 35. Letters received, 31 Aug 1900 - 27 Jul 1908
For an index to items in this series, see Appendix 9.(under related documents tab)
Series 36. Letters and telegrams received from Robert Barr Smith (Adelaide business-man, pastoralist, and philanthropist) and his wife Joanna
The letters are principally from Joanna Barr Smith, and are largely undated (but 3 are of the year 1909). Further letters from Joanna and Robert Barr Smith will be found in other series in the papers of Lady Tennyson.
For an index to items in this series, see Appendix 10. (under related documents tab)
Series 37. Drafts and copies of letters sent by Lady Tennyson, 1902 - 1903
For an index to items in this series, see Appendix 11. (under related documents tab)
Series 38. Correspondence, newspaper cuttings, and other printed material relating to the establishment of the Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital, Rose Park, South Australia, 7 Dec 1900 - 23 May 1903
The Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital was suggested by Lady Tennyson, and it was originally intended to call the hospital the Lady Tennyson Home. The death of Queen Victoria led to the suggestion that the Queen's name be used, to which Lady Tennyson agreed. The foundation stone of the building was laid in 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V), and the hospital was opened by Lady Tennyson in 1902.
For an index to the letters contained in the volume, see Appendix 12. (under related documents tab)
Class. PAPERS OF ALFRED AUBREY TENNYSON, 2ND SON OF LORD TENNYSON, 1900-1904
Series 40. Diaries, 1 Jan 1900 - 11 Jan 1904
Some miscellaneous material has been included in the diaries, e.g. theatrical programmes and sports day programmes, and one letter from Diment (?) Farringford Farm, Isle of Wight, to the Hon. Lionel Hallam Tennyson, dated 14 Jan 1902. At the time he maintained these diaries, Alfred Aubrey Tennyson's age ranged from 9 years to 12 years. Most of the entries are devoted, naturally, to children's activities, but references to such topics as reviews and processions may have a wider significance.
Class. PAPERS OF ZACYNTHA BOYLE (WIFE OF CHARLES JOHN BOYLE), MOTHER OF LADY TENNYSON, 1899-1903
Series 41. Letters received from Lady Tennyson, in Australia, Feb 1899 - 29 Dec 1903
The letters in this series give a most detailed account of the life of Lord and Lady Tennyson in Australia, and include comment on Australian life and personalities.
Series 42. Letters received from Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson, in Australia
The two letters are dated 30 Jan 1899 and 8 April 1900, and largely personal in content.
Series 43. Letters received from her daughter-in-law, Eleanor Margaret Boyle (widow of Captain Cecil William Boyle) while on a visit to Australia. 22 Mar 1903 (?) - 16 June 1903
These letters are personal and descriptive.
Series 44. Letters received from her grand-daughter, Dorothea Cecil Boyle while on a visit to Australia, 22 Mar 1903 - 26 Apr 1903
These letters are personal and descriptive.
Series 45. Letters received from her grand-daughter, Elisabeth Adeline Cecil Boyle, while on a visit to Australia
There are personal and descriptive letters. Only one is dated, 5 April 1903.
Series 46. Letters received from her grandsons, Lionel Hallam Tennyson, Alfred Aubrey Tennyson, and Harold Courtenay Tennyson, 9 Mar - 7 Jul 1903
A number of these letters are in French, and one is in German. The letters are personal and descriptive.
Series 47. Correspondence relating to the provision of comforts and clothing for South Australian contingents in South Africa, 1900
This series includes letters written by Lady Tennyson in Adelaide, Sir John Cockburn (South Australia Agent-General) in London, and Major C. J. Reade and Captain F. H. Howland in South Australia. Zacyntha Boyle, together with her daughter, Lady Tennyson, played some part in providing comforts for South African soldiers in the South African War.
Class. MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, 1887-1916
Series 49. Typescript extracts and paraphrases of letters written by Lady Tennyson, ca.1899 - 1903
This series also includes some biographical and connecting narrative material - possibly by Lord Tennyson who had made some notes on the original letters of Lady Tennyson. For note on Lady Tennyson's letters by Herbert Warren (?), President of Magdalen College, Oxford, see MS 479/5/1.
Series 50. Typescript copies of letters received by Hallam, 2nd Baron Tennyson on the death of Lady Tennyson, Dec 1916
For an index to items in this series, see Appendix 13. (under related documents tab)
Series 51. Letters from Sir Henry Parkes to Alfred, 1st Baron Tennyson, and to Emily, Lady Tennyson
This series also includes one printed item, viz. Sir Henry Parkes, a pamphlet of 4p. published in Sydney, giving details of his political career. For other Tennyson-Parkes associations, see MS 479/2, diary for 1903, p.21, and MS 479/2/331.