Papers of Ric Throssell, approximately 1860-2002 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 1567112
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Throssell, Ric, 1922-1999
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Part available for research; part requires permission for research during the lifetime of Karen Throssell. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [approximately 1860-2002]
- 6.57 m. (37 boxes) + 6 archives boxes.
- Summary:
-
MS 8071 comprises playscripts, drafts of autobiography and other writings in addition to correspondence, research material and other documents relating to Ric Throssell's work as a playwright and author. There are also papers relating to Throssell's career and security classification problems in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the life and work of his mother Katharine Susannah Prichard and of his father Hugo Throssell, and to his involvement with the Canberra Repertory Society (31 boxes).
The Acc00.222 instalment comprises correspondence, drafts, reviews, articles, talks, notebooks and cuttings relating to Throssell's works My father's son and Breaking the codes, and a screenplay of his mother's Black opal. Also included are files on Throssell's involvement with Writers Against Nuclear Arms (WANA) (6 boxes).
The Acc17.098 instalment comprises papers relating to Throssell’s career as an author and in the theatre and includes correspondence, drafts of his writings, papers, and photographs. There is a large group of papers relating to screen, theatre and radio adaptations by Throssell of works written by his mother, Katharine Susannah Prichard. There are also several letters from Prichard to Dorothy Irwin and a group of her published works, which have been inscribed (6 archives boxes).
- Biography/History:
-
Public servant, playwright, author, actor and theatre producer and director. Ric Prichard Throssell was born in Perth in 1922, the son of novelist Katharine Susannah Prichard and Captain Hugo Throssell, V.C. After education at Wesley College he saw war service in New Guinea during World War II. In 1943 he joined the Department of External Affairs and later served in the Australian legations in Moscow and Rio de Janeiro. In 1943 he began a long association with the Canberra Repertory Society as an actor, producer and playwright. He wrote a large number of plays, some of which have been published. He published a biography of his mother, Wild weeds and wind flowers (1975), and an autobiography My father's son (1989), and also edited two collections of his mother's writings Straight left (1982), and Tribute: selected stories of Katharine Susannah Prichard (1988).
Throssell's career in the diplomatic service was greatly hindered by security classification problems resulting from his mother's membership of the Communist Party. He appeared before the Petrov inquiry in 1954, but no case was established against him. In retirement he devoted a lot of his energies to obtaining classified documents relating to himself and his mother with the aid of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Freedom of Information Act. In Canberra he helped to establish the group Writers Against Nuclear Arms. Throssell died in Canberra in 1999.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 8071, MS Acc00.222, MS Acc17.098.
- Associated materials: Papers of Katharine Susannah Prichard, 1851-1970 MS 6201.
- Related Material:
-
- Ric Throssell interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/208-209.
- Interview with Ric Throssell; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 2794.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid available online.
- Subject:
-
- Throssell, Ric, 1922-1999 -- Archives
- Throssell, Ric, 1922-1999 -- Political activity
- Prichard, Katharine Susannah, 1883-1969
- Throssell, Hugo, 1884-1933
- Australia. Department of Foreign Affairs -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Canberra Repertory Society
- Writers Against Nucelar Arms
- Authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Dramatists, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Theatrical producers and directors -- Australia -- Archives
- Theater -- Australian Capital Territory -- Canberra
- Australian drama -- 20th century
- Time Coverage:
- 1860-2002
- Occupation:
- 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 or musical work
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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