Papers of Morris West, circa 1916-2005 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 2285477
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- West, Morris, 1916-1999
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item. MS 7171 copy
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Part available for research; part requires permission for research until 2023; part not available for research until 2051. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [ca. 1916-2005]
- 11.40 m. (36 boxes) + 6 folio boxes +1 medium phase box + 1 map folio + 3 oversized objects.
- Summary:
-
This collection comprises papers that document West’s life and career over a substantial period of time. A large group of the papers relate to West’s writings and include manuscript drafts of many of his novels; scripts for plays; scripts for film adaptations of several of his novels; drafts of articles he wrote; and typescripts of speeches. There are newspaper and journal cuttings of articles written by or about West, together with reviews of many of his publications. There is also correspondence relating to publication of West’s book and also certificates and significant literary awards he received. Other correspondence includes letters between West and his friend G. Emmett Cardinal Carter, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto, letters to West from Alfred Hitchcock, Estee Lauder, Pat[ricia] Nixon, HM Queen Frederica of Greece, and Miles, Duke of Norfolk and carbon copies of West's letters to Father Tony Glynn in Japan. Also included are condolences received by West’s family on his death in 1999.
Other papers comprise photographs; biographical information in the form of transcripts of interviews; cassette recordings of interviews or talks given by him on radio and at events; ephemera; sketchbooks with drawings by West and invitations to events for significant people. As part of his research for an unrealised project, West acquired a group of files relating to the ‘Orr Case’. Much of the content of the files seems to have been compiled by Orr himself, and these files are included in the collection.
- Biography/History:
-
Novelist and journalist. Morris West published over thirty books during the course of his career, many on the subjects of religion and political intrigue. Several of his books were made into films. West also wrote plays and was a prolific contributor of articles to journals and newspapers, in which he commented on a wide range of current affairs. In 1983, West established the Morris West Trust at the National Library of Australia, to be used for the publishing and disseminating of material of national value in the collection. He was Chairman of the National Library of Australia Council from 1985 to 1988.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 7171.
- MS 7171 copy Also available online https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-356034170
- Related Material:
-
- Morris West interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/77.
- Morris West interviewed by Catherine Santamaria; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1543.
- Morris West interviewed by Diana Ritch; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 2950.
- Cited In:
- Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; E774.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid (15 p.) available in the Special Collections Reading Room.
- Subject:
-
- West, Morris, 1916-1999 -- Archives
- Journalists -- Australia -- Archives
- Authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Novelists, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Dramatists, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Australian literature -- 20th century
- Australian literature -- Catholic authors
- Time Coverage:
- 1916-2005
- Occupation:
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of Morris West’s copyright material is permitted for research purposes except for box 41/files 1-2 (for which permission is required until May 2023) and box 42/file 1 (not permitted until 2051).
- 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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