Guide to the Papers of David Campbell

Series 1. Correspondence, 1935-1979

Reflecting Campbell's creative work, interests and relationships within the literary community in Australia, from the early 1930s until his death in 1979. Although there are few of Campbell's own letters in the collection, there are extensive sequences of letters from numerous literary figures, including R.F. Brissenden, Rosemary Dobson, Geoffrey Dutton, A.D. Hope, Douglas Stewart and Patrick White.

Other major correspondents include Bruce Beaver, Alec Bolton, Vincent Buckley, Nancy Cato, John Couper, Beatrice Davis, Bruce Dawe, C. Day Lewis, Russell Drysdale, Geoffrey Fairbairn, R.D. FitzGerald, H.M. Green, Rodney Hall, Kevin Hart, Nancy Keesing, Thomas Keneally, Geoffrey Lehmann, Norman Lindsay, James McAuley, Ronald McCuaig, Nan McDonald, Ann MacLean, James McNeish, John Manifold, Philip Martin, Elyne Mitchell, Les Murray, Roland Robinson, John Rowland, Thomas Shapcott, Kenneth Slessor, Brian Stonier, John Thompson, E.M.W. Tillyard, Russel Ward, Francis Webb and Judith Wright.

These letters contain often detailed comments from writers regarding the progress of their writing and publishing projects, as well as discussing Campbell's work. The letters also reflect Campbell's interests in trout fishing, painting, pottery and life on the land. This series includes family letters, publishing correspondence and author's agreements, together with drafts and typescripts of poems sent to Campbell as poetry editor of The Australian (1964-1965).

Series 2. Poetry, c., 1935-1979

Campbell was one of Australia's most accomplished poets. This series comprises notes, manuscript and typescript drafts and proofs of much of his work, including some published poems. Campbell was often working on numerous projects simultaneously, and there is extensive overlapping between folders of drafts.

Ten of Campbell's volumes of verse are represented in this series, from The miracle of Mullion Hill (1956) to the posthumously published The man in the honeysuckle (1979). There are also papers relating to Campbell's verse translations ('imitations') of Russian, French and Chinese poets, particularly Anna Akhmatova and Osip Mandelstam. Campbell produced two volumes of verse translations with Rosemary Dobson, comprising Moscow trefoil (1975) and Seven Russian poets (1979). Campbell also edited Modern Australian poetry (1970) and collaborated with the artist Keith Looby on The history of Australia (1976).

The series also features poems and prose by other Australian writers, including poems submitted to Campbell as poetry editor of The Australian (1964-1965). These writers include R.F. Brissenden, Rosemary Dobson, Geoffrey Dutton, A.D. Hope, Geoffrey Lehmann, James McAuley, Philip Martin, Vivian Smith, Douglas Stewart, John Thompson and Chris Wallace-Crabbe.

Poetry and prose by other writers is also included in Series 1.

Series 3. Short Stories, c.1939-1976

Comprising manuscript and typescript drafts of short stories, most of which were published in Campbell's two short story collections, Evening under lamplight (1959) and Flame and shadow (1976). The stories were reissued in 1987 as Evening under lamplight: selected stories of David Campbell, with a foreword by David Malouf.

Series 4. Other Writings, c.1952-1978

Including reviews of publications of various Australian writers, together with articles, speeches and radio scripts. The writings relate to such topics as trout fishing, art, poetry and particular poets, including Robert Burns, A.D. Hope and Francis Webb. There are also drafts, notes and research material for Campbell's own writings. Drafts and copies of Campbell's prose may also be found in Series 1 and Series 2.

Series 5. Notebooks, 1935-1975

Comprising notes and drafts of poetry and prose. Most of the poems have been published, including poems featured in Selected poems (1968), The branch of Dodona and other poems (1970), Starting from Central Station (1973), Devil's Rock and other poems (1974) and Deaths and pretty cousins (1975).

The notebook 'Recco over Rabaul' records Campbell's experiences as a pilot in World War II. There are also family history research notes, together with notes on the administration of Campbell's property 'Palerang', which is located in the Braidwood region of New South Wales.

Series 6. Printed Material, 1935-1980

Including newspaper cuttings, broadsheets of poems by five Australian poets, a thesis on Campbell's poetry (1972) and other printed material.

The cuttings feature poems by Campbell and other writers, as well as reviews of most of Campbell's published works. The copies of the Jesus College magazine Chanticlere date from Campbell's time at Cambridge (1935-1937), and include two of his early poems.

Series 7. Miscellaneous Items, 1890-1976

Comprising personal documents, photographs, programmes, newspaper cuttings and certificates. A notable inclusion is a caricature of Campbell by John Frith, annotated 'published, Bulletin, 23 February 1944'. The series also features a logbook kept by Campbell while serving as a pilot in World War II. The logbook records details of flights and operations carried out mainly in Papua New Guinea and the surrounding region. Associated with the logbook are a small number of letters, including letters of Norman Lindsay and Douglas Stewart (n.d.). There is also a wartime diary kept in India by Campbell's father, Alfred Campbell, December 1917, and sketchbooks belonging to Campbell's sister, Meg Campbell.