Guide to the Papers of Sir William Hudson
MS 9025
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- William Hudson
- Title
- Papers of Sir William Hudson
- Date Range
- 1948-1980
- Collection Number
- MS 9025
- Extent
- 9.1 metres (62 boxes, 2 folio items)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection includes correspondence, diaries and notebooks, speeches, papers relating to the Galloway Hydro-Electric Scheme, Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, National Safety Council of Australia, Road Safety Council of New South Wales, Australian Welding Research Association and cuttings.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2964924).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Sir William Hudson, National Library of Australia, MS 9025, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The papers were donated to the National Library by Lady Hudson in December 1992. In 1998, following the death of her mother, Margaret Unger added further papers to the collection. Series 25 was added in May 1998.
Related Materials
Typescript carbon copy by Hudson entitled 'Multi-purpose water development projects in the U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and Australia 1962' is held at MS 824.
The Library recorded an Oral History interview with Sir William Hudson in 1971 (TRC 121/5).
Separated Materials
Most of the papers relating to the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority (2.16 m.) were transferred the Australian Archives (CP622, Series M3759).
Biographical Note
Date | Event |
---|---|
1896 | Born in Nelson, New Zealand |
1914-15 | Attended University College, London |
1916-18 | Served with the London Regiment in France |
1918-20 | Attended Grenoble University, France |
1921-22 | Assistant Engineer in the Hydro-Electric Section of Sir Armstrong-Whitworth Co., London |
1922-24 | Assistant Engineer on with the Railway Construction and Hydro-Electric Construction of the Department of Public Works in New Zealand |
1924-27 | Engineer-in-charge with Sir Armstrong-Whitworth Co. in the construction of the Arapuni Dam in New Zealand |
1926 | Married Eileen Trotter |
1928-31 | Assistant Engineer on Tunnelling and later Engineer-in-Charge on Dam Construction with the Sydney Water Board |
1931-36 | On the staff of Sir Alexander Gibb Partners, London as Engineer-in-Charge of the construction of the Galloway Hydro-electric Scheme in Scotland |
1937-49 | Returned to Sydney Water Board as Resident Engineer on Dam Construction, later Chief Construction Engineer and then Engineer -in-Chief |
1949-67 | Commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority |
1955 | Received Knighthood (K.B.E.) |
1964 | Appointed Fellow of the Royal Society, London |
1968-71 | Chairman of the Road Safety Council of New South Wales and President of National Safety Council of Australia |
1969 | Honorary Member of the Federation of Construction Contractors Australia |
1969-71 | President Road Safety Council of Australia |
1969-74 | Senior Consultant with Sir Alexander Gibb Partners, London |
1973-74 | President of Australian Welding Research Association |
1978 | Died in Canberra |
Date | Event |
---|---|
1896 | Born in Nelson, New Zealand |
1914-15 | Attended University College, London |
1916-18 | Served with the London Regiment in France |
1918-20 | Attended Grenoble University, France |
1921-22 | Assistant Engineer in the Hydro-Electric Section of Sir Armstrong-Whitworth & Co., London |
1922-24 | Assistant Engineer on with the Railway Construction and Hydro-Electric Construction of the Department of Public Works in New Zealand |
1924-27 | Engineer-in-charge with Sir Armstrong-Whitworth & Co. in the construction of the Arapuni Dam in New Zealand |
1926 | Married Eileen Trotter |
1928-31 | Assistant Engineer on Tunnelling and later Engineer-in-Charge on Dam Construction with the Sydney Water Board |
1931-36 | On the staff of Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, London as Engineer-in-Charge of the construction of the Galloway Hydro-electric Scheme in Scotland |
1937-49 | Returned to Sydney Water Board as Resident Engineer on Dam Construction, later Chief Construction Engineer and then Engineer -in-Chief |
1949-67 | Commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority |
1955 | Received Knighthood (K.B.E.) |
1964 | Appointed Fellow of the Royal Society, London |
1968-71 | Chairman of the Road Safety Council of New South Wales and President of National Safety Council of Australia |
1969 | Honorary Member of the Federation of Construction Contractors Australia |
1969-71 | President Road Safety Council of Australia |
1969-74 | Senior Consultant with Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners, London |
1973-74 | President of Australian Welding Research Association |
1978 | Died in Canberra |
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence: Chronological, 1948-78
Hudson had kept the correspondence in this series in chronological order and this arrangement has been preserved by the Library. Copies of many of Hudson's letters were also included. The series includes congratulatory letters, telegrams and cards sent by politicians, business associates and friends on his appointment as Engineer-in-Chief with the Metropolitan Water, Sewage and Drainage Board in Sydney (File 1), on obtaining a knighthood (Files 5-9) and on retirement (Files 15-16).
A group of letters covering 40 years, which Hudson has kept separate, is contained in File 34.
The main correspondents include Sir William Spooner, Lord Casey, C.H.D. Harper, M.L. Tyrrell, John Armstrong, Sir William Dunk, Ray Kendall, C.H.D. Harper, J. Brophy, E.C.L. Killen, Harold Holt, Sir Hudson Fysh, Sir Roland Wilson, E.J. Patterson, R.F. Munro, John Davie, J. Donovan Jacobs, John Redpath, I. Maclean, W. Nimmo, M.A. Morris, C.H. Hammond, D,J, Caswell, Robert King, Howard Turner, S.J. Saunders, A.G.W. Keys, I.A. Harley, H.L. Armstrong, J.H. Fraser, R.O. French, Oswald L. Ziegler and J.A.R. Miles.
Series 2. Correspondence: alphabetical, 1961-76
The correspondence was kept in alphabetical order, by correspondents as well as organisations, and the Library has preserved this arrangement. Some of the topics covered in this series may also appear in other series (eg. Australian Federation of Engineering Contractors). Copies of some of Hudson's letters were often included. The correspondents include Sir Mark Oliphant and E.G. Warrell, K.J. Pike, E.M. Jackson, John Knight, Bryce Fraser, H. Olivier, R. Mattner, John Justice, E.R. Hoare and Vernon Lawrence.
Files 50-53 added May 1998.
Australian Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, 1968. See also Series 3/1-3 (File 5) - Box 6
Boys Scouts Association: Canberra-Monaro area, 1966-70. Includes minutes of meetings, reports and notes (File 11) - Box 6
Vincent Fairfax and Sir Ian Potter concerning the Development of Water Resources, 1967-68 (File 15) - Box 7
Federal Inland Development Organisation, 1963-71. Include minutes, reports and other papers (File 18-21) - Box 7, 8
International Commission on Large Dams, 1962-72. The files includes papers concerning Hudson's visit to Bratsk, the site of an Hydro-Electric Station on the Angara River, USSR (File 27-31) - Box 8, 9
Silver Valley Mines Pty. Ltd., 1969 concerning the construction of an offshore coal-loading terminal at Port Mawson, NSW. Hudson was the Inspector of the project (File 43) - Box 11
South Africa Assignment, 1973-74. Hudson prepared a report for ORCO Consortium, Johannesburg on the Orange-Fish Tunnel Project. The files also include notes and reports (File 44-46) - Box 11
Series 3. Correspondence: expanding File, 1966-79
The correspondence in this series was kept by Hudson in alphabetical order in an expanding file and this arrangement has been preserved by the Library. Copies of some of Hudson's letters were included. The correspondents include Gordon Mathams, H.J. Buchanan, C.H. Locke, T.A. Rodriguez, S.G. Palmer and M. Schondelmaier.
Australian Federation of Construction Contractors (incorporating the Australian Federation of Civil Engineer Contractors), 1970-73. See also Series 2/5 (File 1-2) - Box 12
Australian Institute of Dairy Factory Managers and Secretaries (Victoria Division), 1966 (File 4) - Box 12
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation concerning Irrigation Research Station, 1969 (File 11) - Box 13
Series 4. Diaries and notebooks, 1960-72
The series comprises 21 mostly appointments diaries and notebooks. The notebooks contain telephone numbers, notes on the Australian Welding Research Association, National Safety Council of Australia, water development in Australia, dams and other topics.
Series 5. Speeches, 1950-71
Handwritten drafts, annotated typescripts of Hudson's speeches and some related correspondence. The series also contains a number of roneoed and printed copies of speeches by others, including Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler.
Series 6. Conferences, Seminars and Conventions, 1960-71
Hudson attended numerous conferences, seminars and conventions, and he was sometimes the guest speaker. The series contains correspondence with A.L. Fielding and Alexander McDonald, agendas and related papers. See also Series 5.
Series 7. Articles and lectures, 1962-70
This small series contains typescript copies of a lecture and an article written by Hudson.
Series 8. Arapuni Dam, New Zealand, c.1924-27
Hudson was the Engineer-in-charge with Sir Armstrong-Whitworth & Co. in the construction of the Arapuni Dam in New Zealand.
Series 9. Sir Alexander Gibb Partners and Galloway Hydro-Electric Scheme, Scotland, 1931-74
Hudson was on the staff of Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners in London, as Engineer-in-charge of the construction of the Galloway Hydro-Electric Scheme in Scotland, between 1931 and 1937. From 1964 to 1974 he was a senior consultant with the firm.
The series comprises material relating to both activities, including typescript notes entitled 'The Galloway Hydro-Electric Power words', correspondence with Stuart Harrison and Guthrie Brown, Hudson's resignation as Senior Consultant, photographs, contracts and other printed material.
Series 10. Metropolitan Water, Sewage Drainage Board, Sydney, 1937-64
Hudson was employed by the Board from 1928 to 1930 and from 1937 to 1949. The series includes papers relating to Warragamba Dam, such as a typescript entitled 'Metropolitan Dam and Pipe Line Medical Services' (1942), a copy of Warragamba Dam by T.B. Nicol (1964), a notebook and construction manuals.
Series 11. Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, 1949-70
Hudson was first Commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority from 1949 until his retirement in 1967. He continued to collect papers relating to the Authority after his retirement.
The bulk of the papers relating to the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electrc Authority are now held at the Australian Archives (CP622, Series M3759).
Series 12. Foundation for Research and Treatment of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of New South Wales (F.R.T.A.D.D.)
Hudson was on the Board of Directors of F.R.T.A.D.D. and also the Foundation for Research and Treatment of Alcoholism of Australia. He was President of the 29th International Congress on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence held in Sydney in February 1970. The series include correspondence, submission papers, copies of some of Hudson's letters and a typescript copy of Hudson's report of the Conference. The correspondent is A.P. Diehm.
Series 13. National Safety Council of Australia, 1968-71
Hudson, who had a long interest in promoting safety in the workplace, was President of the National Safety Council of Australia between 1968 and 1971. The original arrangement of the files in the series has been maintained. They include correspondence, minutes of meetings, notes and reports. The main correspondents are T.G. Crane and S.G. Mitchell. Copies of some of Hudson's letters are included.
Series 14. Road Safety Council of New South Wales, 1968-71
Hudson was the Chairman of the Council between 1968 and 1971. The series includes correspondence, minutes of meetings, annual reports and other papers. The correspondents are G.T. Sonenberg, T.G. Crane and S.G. Mitchell. Copies of some of Hudson's letters are included.
Series 15. Waugh Josephson Holdings, 1970-79
Waugh & Josephson Holdings were the New South Wales distributors of products manufactured by the Catepillar companies. Hudson was one of the Directors. The series includes correspondence with J.G. Vale and A.C. Atwill, minutes of meetings and annual reports.
Series 16. ANZAC Fellowship Scheme, 1967-73
The Scheme, funded by the New Zealand Government, offers Fellowships to Australians who have achieved distinction in their professions to further their training in New Zealand. Hudson was Chairman of the ANZAC Fellowship Selection Committee between 1967 and 1973. The series contains correspondence with G.J. Mackerell, copies of applications for the Fellowship Awards and other papers.
Series 17. Australian Welding Research Association, 1967-78
Hudson was President and Chairman of the Association. The series includes correspondence with M.W. Padman, drafts of Hudson's speeches, reports, minutes of meetings, newsletters, cuttings and roneoed circulars.
Series 18. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, 1972-78
Hudson was a member of the Academy. The series contains circulars, notices and minutes of meetings and reports.
Series 19. The Royal Society, London, 1960-69
Hudson was appointed a Fellow of the Society in 1964. The series contains correspondence, including letters, cards and telegrams of congratulation, circulars, Bulletin of the Royal Society and other printed material. The correspondents include H.C. Coombs, F.H. Wheeler, Lord Casey, William McMahon, W.H. Connolly, Edward Ford, R.N. Robertson and H.M. David.
Series 20. Water Resources and desalination, 1963-68
Water resources and desalination were among Hudson's long standing interests. The series includes drafts and copies of articles by Hudson and others, cuttings, notes and some correspondence. The correspondents are Sir Mark Oliphant and Professor C.H. Munro.
Series 21. Astronomy [n.d.]
Astronomy was one of Hudson's hobbies. The series includes notes, cuttings, notebooks and printed material.
Series 22. Cuttings, 1967-72
The topics of the cuttings includes the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, drought, irrigation, road safety, safety in the workplace and the Ord River Project. Some of the articles were either written by Hudson or based on interviews with him.
Series 23. Miscellaneous papers, 1949-89
Series 24. Margaret Unger, 1971-80
Margaret Unger is one of the daughters of Sir William and Lady Hudson. She corresponded with her father while researching for her book Voices from the Snowy (Sydney, 1989).