MS 8261 Papers of Don Watson (1949- )
Scope and Content Note
The papers of Don Watson were given to the Library under the Taxation
Incentives for the Arts Scheme in 1990.
The Watson papers comprise manuscripts, typescripts, cuttings, research
material and correspondence relating to his biography of the Melbourne radical
Brian Fitzpatrick, his book on Scots in Australia,
Max Gillies scripts and speeches written by Watson for John Cain.
Don Watson was born in 1949. He was an academic historian until 1983 and
has since been a freelance writer of history, comedy, films, reviews and
newspaper columns.
Watson has written a number of books including Brian
Fitzpatrick(1979), The story of Australia (1984) and Caledonia
Australis(1984). He wrote speeches for John Cain, scripts for both T.V. and
stage performances of Max Gillies, scripts for the BBC Project and the
co-author of the scripts for 'Manning Clark's history of Australia the
musical'. He worked as a consutant on Meanjin and was also involved in
the initial planning of the Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Series 1. Brian Fitzpatrick, 1973-90 (Restricted)
Sub-series 1. Research material (In alphabetical order)
Sub-series 2. Manuscripts and typescripts
Sub-series 3. Correspondence (In alphabatical order)
Sub-series 4. Galley proofs and thesis
Sub-series 5. Card index
Series 2. Caledonia Australis, 1980-87 (Restricted)
Sub-series 1. Research material (In alphabetical order)
Sub-series 2. Manuscripts and typescripts
Sub-series 3. Correspondence
Sub-series 4. Card index
Series 3. The story of Australia (Restricted)
Series 4. Max Gillies, 1985-89 (Restricted)
Sub-series 1. Manuscripts and typescripts
Sub-series 2. Correspondence and agreements
Sub-series 3. Notebooks
Sub-series 4. Reviews and programmes
Sub-series 5. Miscellaneous
Series 5. John Cain, 1985-89 (Restricted)
Sub-series 1. Speeches and addresses
Sub-series 2. Research material and correspondence
Series 6. Manning Clark's History of Australia Musical (Restricted)
Series 7. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Restricted)
Series 8. Other writings by Don Watson (Restricted)
Series 9. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1975-85 (CLOSED)
Series 10. Miscellaneous files, 1973-88 (Restricted)
Series 1. Brian Fitzpatrick, 1973-90 (Restricted)
Watson's interest in Fitzpatrick began in the mid 1970's with the
research for a PhD thesis which he completed in 1976. His biography, entitled
Brian Fitzpatrick, a radical life, was published in 1979.
This series includes a copy of Watson's thesis, extensive
correspondence with associates of Fitzpatrick, research material, drafts and
galley proofs of the book, as well as correspondence with the publisher Hale
and Iremonger.
The correspondents includes Manning Clark, Sir Keith Hancock, Dorothy
Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Fitzpatick, Noel McLachlan, Warren Osmond and Geoffrey
Serle.
Series 2. Caledonia Australis, 1980-87 (Restricted)
This series includes research material, notebooks, manuscripts,
typescripts and correspondence relating to Watson's book on Scottish settlers
in Australia. It was published by Collins in 1984.
The research material has been arranged in alphabetical order according
to subjects.
The correspondents includes Manning Clark, Lisa Highton and John
Timlin.
Series 3. The story of Australia (Restricted)
The story of Australia was written for school children. The
series includes research notes, drafts and correspondence relating to the
book.
Series 4. Max Gillies, 1985-89 (Restricted)
The series contains a large collection of Max Gillies scripts written
by Watson, both for television and stage performances together with original
drafts, notebooks, correspondence, reviews and programmes.
The correspondents include John Timlin and Michael Shrimpton.
Series 5. John Cain, 1985-89 (Restricted)
This series contains speeches and addresses written by Watson for John
Cain, and research material including cuttings, correspondence and
notebooks.
The correspondents include Terry Moran and Evan Walker.
Series 6. Manning Clark's History of Australia Musical, 1983-88 (Restricted)
The series contain notebooks and correspondence relating to the scripts
written by Watson for the Musical, which opened in Melbourne in 1988.
The correspondents include Manning Clark and Yvonne Dann.
Series 7. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Restricted)
This series contains a file of miscellaneous leaflets and cuttings
relating to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Don Watson was
involved with the initial planning of the Comedy Festival and was co-author of
the scripts for the Max Gillies concerts given during the Festival.
Series 8. Other writings by Don Watson, 1986-89 (Restricted)
This series includes typescripts of a screenplay entitled "Gippsland"
and typescripts written for the B.B.C. Radio Australia Project.
Series 9. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1963-85 (CLOSED)
This series contains letters received by Watson and copies of some of
his letters.
The correspondents include Peter Corris, Drew Cottle, Jim Davidson,
Robert Darby, Robin Gollan and Demos Kroukos.
Series 10. Miscellaneous files, 1973-90 (Restricted)
The series contains miscellaneous correspondence, photocopies, leaflets
and cuttings, including a file on A.L.P. advertising for the 1989 Queensland
State Election and a file containing seminar guides used by Watson while he was
a lecturer in Australian cultural history at the Footscray Institute of
Technology in 1981.
SERIES SUB-SERIES BOX
1 1 1-6
1 2 6-8
1 3 9
1 4 10-11
1 5 12
2 1 13-14
2 2 15-17
2 3 17
2 4 18
3 19
4 1 20-21
4 2 21
4 3 21
4 4 22
4 5 22
5 1 23-24
5 2 24
6 25
7 25
8 26-28
9 28-29
10 30-32
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