Guide to the Papers of the Paterson Family
MS 6882
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Paterson Family
- Title
- Papers of the Paterson Family
- Date Range
- 1884-1973
- Collection Number
- MS 6882
- Extent
- 5.55 metres (24 ms boxes + 3 medium folio boxes + 1 large folio box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
This collection was purchased in two parts. The first portion, consisting of two scrapbooks of the artist John Ford Paterson, was acquired in early 1982, having been offered for sale by Barbara Kerridge, the daughter of Betty Paterson in October, 1981. These scrapbooks contain press cuttings, photographs, correspondence and memorabilia relating to John Ford Paterson, his brother, Hugh Paterson, other members of the Paterson Family and the artist community of Melbourne in the period 1884 to 1930.
The second portion purchased in 1983, contains a small quantity of letters and press cuttings of Betty Paterson, with the bulk being letters, press cuttings and manuscripts of Esther Paterson and her husband, George Hermon Gill. These is a large amount of Gill's published and unpublished work as well as Letter Books from March 9, 1954 to February 22, 1973 with the period January 24, 1966 to March 19, 1967 missing. There is also a quantity of material; photographs, manuscripts, press cuttings, newspapers; which, because of the disordered state of the collection, cannot be pinpointed as originating with any particular member of the family and these have been placed under the heading 'Paterson Family'. Material originating from more than one member of the family; e.g. published material illustrated by both Esther and Betty, have also been placed under 'Paterson Family'.
When able to establish their origin, the papers relating to the various members of the family have been kept together and each series created from like material within the framework of the name of the member of the family.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1655529) for the access conditions.
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 the Paterson Family, National Library of Australia, MS 6882, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Biographical Note
Paterson family
Material in the collection covers several members of the family: John Ford Paterson, Hugh Paterson, Esther Paterson, Elizabeth (Betty) Paterson, George Hermon Gill, Barbara Newman.
John Ford Paterson
John Ford Paterson was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1851 and attended the Royal Scottish Academy schools in Edinburgh. After spending three years in Melbourne from 1872, he moved there permanently in 1884. He worked as a landscape painter and some of his work was included in collections of Australian art sent to London in 1886 and 1898.
During 1902, Paterson was President of the Victorian Artists' Society and was a trustee of the Public Library, Museums and National Gallery of Victoria between 1903 and 1912. Although not a prolific painter, he ranks among the more important artists working in Australia at the end of the nineteenth century and was associated with members of the Heidelberg School. He did not marry, and died on 30 June, 1912.
Hugh Paterson
Younger brother of John Ford Paterson. He was born in Scotland on 3 October, 1856 and also attended the Royal Scottish Academy schools. He migrated to Australia as a youth. He painted at the National Gallery School, Melbourne, and became an authority on historical costume and decoration. He also designed for the Gaiety Theatre, London, and for many theatrical artists, including Nellie Stewart.
Hugh Paterson helped to establish the Australian Artists' Association in 1886 and the Victorian Artists' Society in 1888. He was an active member of the Caledonian Society. He redesigned the Commonwealth coat-of-arms in 1910. He became Chairman of the first Commonwealth Art Advisory Board in 1912 and played a role in the design and decoration of the chamber of the A.N.Z. Bank at the corner of Collins and Queen Streets and also the Exhibition buildings. He was appointed, with the Chairman of the Associated Banks and the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, to consider designs for Australia's Treasury notes in 1911. Hugh Paterson died in Melbourne in 1 December, 1917. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Leslie Deans, a son and two daughters, Esther and Elizabeth (Betty).
Esther Paterson
Esther was born in Carlton, Victoria on 5 February, 1893 and studied at the National Gallery, Melbourne. She achieved a reputation in portraiture, and undertook posters and drawings for the Services and War Loan campaigns during World War 1. She married in 1923, George Hermon Gill, and illustrated his books Captain Cook's Cottage (1934) and Suburban Souvenir (1962). Examples of Esther's work are held by the National Gallery of Victoria. She was an honorary life member of the Victorian Artists' Society and a former President of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. She died on 8 August, 1971.
Elizabeth (Betty) Deans Paterson
Elizabeth Paterson was born in Carlton Victoria in 1894 and studied music at the Melbourne Conservatorium. She developed her drawing and painting under her sister's guidance. Elizabeth always signed Betty Paterson or B P, probably so as not to be confused with Elizabeth Paterson, her cousin, who was also an artist and illustrator.
Betty Paterson contributed sketches featuring small children to the Bulletin, and became famous for watercolour portraits of children, including younger members of the Royal family. With her sister, Esther, she conducted painting classes for the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Soldiers' Association.
Betty married K.F. Newman in 1923 and Albion Wiltshire in 1952. She was appointed MBE in 1966 and died on 5 July, 1970, survived by a daughter, Barbara.
George Hermon Gill
George Hermon Gill was born on 8 March 1895 in London. He joined the Merchant Navy but resigned in 1923 and moved to Melbourne to marry Esther Paterson.
He worked as a journalist for the Argus and the Star and then was the Editor of the Record, the South Melbourne local newspaper, for 20 years. He was also editor of Chin Up, magazine of the Totally and Permanently Disabled Soldier's Association of Victoria from 1957; and editor of The Australian Builder from July 1949 to his death in 1973. He contributed articles, short stories and cartoons to popular magazines and newspapers.
During World War 11, George Gill served in Naval Intelligence with the rank of Commander and, following the War, became the Official Naval Historian. He wrote two volumes of Naval History. He also wrote the history of the Melbourne Athenaeum Club, The Record and The State Electricity Commission of Victoria.
George Gill was a member of the International PEN Club, serving as Secretary between 1950 and 1960,; associated with the Fellowship of Epicures; committee member of the Victorian Artists' Society; life member of the Melbourne South Rotary Club; and a member of the Naval Historical Society of Australia.
He was awarded an MBE in 1971. He died on 27 February, 1973.
Barbara Newman
Daughter of Elizabeth Deans Paterson and K.F. Newman. Married James Penberthy (Composer), and then married A. Kerridge. She designed for theatres, illustrated for magazines and her paintings have been well received.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Paterson Family: Papers, Scrapbooks
The scrapbooks in this series contain a selection of material from various sources which give an insight into the life style of the Melbourne artist community in the late nineteenth and twentieth century. As this material was collected by John Ford Paterson, most of it reflects the interests, concerns and the career of John Ford Paterson, his brother Hugh Paterson and their friends and associates. Of particular interest is the large invitation card inviting Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Paterson to attend the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth by the Duke of Cornwall and York. There is also a Scrapbook of memorabilia relating to William Moore of Melbourne.
Correspondents in the Paterson family scrapbooks include J.S. Macdonald, Louis Esson, William Moore, Dr Hilda Esson and Arthur Streeton. Press cuttings include cuttings relating to Louis Esson, Tom Roberts, the athlete Frank P. Brown, theatrical productions, the game of draughts, the Historic Memorials Committee and the commission of portraits for Parliament House and the Buonarotti Club.
William Dean's Papers (File 1) - Box 1
William Dean was the father of Elizabeth Dean, Wife of Hugh Paterson.
Scrapbook of John Ford Paterson containing press cuttings 1884-1888, photographs, correspondence and memorabilia (Item [unnumbered])
Scrapbook containing press cuttings and photographs, 1886-1929 (Item [unnumbered])
The press cuttings are mainly about John Ford Paterson and Hugh Paterson.
Invitation to Mr and Mrs Hugh Paterson to attend the opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth (Item [unnumbered])
Series 2. Paterson Family: Photographs
In this series there are four folders of photographs including a photograph of the Art Advisory Board of 1913, a photograph of Betty Paterson as a girl, photographs of the family at dinners, functions, a quantity of photographs connected with George Hermon Gill's time in the Merchant Navy and Australian Navy during World War 11, an album of 'Sea Pictures' and a folder of photographs taken for Chin Up, some of which are annotated with the person's name. The date range would therefore be from 1913 to 1960's approximately.
Series 3. Paterson Family: Press Cuttings
These press cuttings held in three folders are by or about Esther Paterson, Betty Paterson, George Hermon Gill, Barbara Newman from the years 1930-1968 and include press cuttings of "The Little Voyagers", a cartoon by Esther and Betty. These cuttings were together so have been kept together but sorted into rough date order. Topics covered by the cuttings deal mainly with art shows, news of artists and articles on various members of the family.
Series 4. Paterson Family: Catalogues, Cards, Invitations, Memorabilia
This series of five folders includes catalogues to many exhibitions of paintings given by Esther Paterson and Betty Paterson plus exhibitions where paintings of John Ford Paterson have been exhibited. There are also catalogues of exhibitions opened by Esther Paterson, Betty Paterson and George Hermon Gill as well as catalogues of exhibitions by friends of the family. The cards include Christmas Cards and gift cards designed by Esther Paterson and Betty Paterson or cards designed by other artists and kept by members of the Paterson family. There is also a quantity of invitations to functions, programmes of charity concerts, bulletins giving details of an activity of a member of the family and some signed menus. The cover the period 1929-1977.
Series 5. Paterson family: Books, Newspapers, Journals
Series 5 brings together in fifteen folders the published material found in the collection including The Vas August 1, 1912, which has an article on John Ford Paterson; newspapers with articles on the family - The Age Literary Supplement, March 22, 1958 with an article on John Ford Paterson, The Record, August 22, 1959 with an article on Esther Paterson, The Record, November 14, 1964 with an article on Barbara Newman, The Record, January 15, 1966 with an article on Betty Paterson; and books illustrated or written/illustrated by the family including Betty's Babies by Betty Paterson, World of Babies by Betty Paterson and Three Decades by George Hermon Gill.
The Journal of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Art, April 1972; List of Members of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Art 1971; Melbourne Savage Club Annual Report 1972, 1971-1972 (File 6) - Box 2
The Victorian Artists Society Annual Report, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1964, 1970, 1971; The Quarterly Bulletin of the National Gallery of Victoria, Vol. 5, No. 4, 1951; The Vas, 1 August, 1912 (article on John Ford Paterson), 1912-1971 (File 7) - Box 2
Royal Australian Historical Society Journal and Proceedings, Vol. 45, Part 3, 1959; The Managing Printer, No, 171, Vol. XV, May, 1930, 1930, 1959 (File 8) - Box 2
Quackleduck by Esmee Rice illustrated by Elizabeth Paterson (cousin of Esther and Betty) (File 1) - Box 3
The Story of Mother Goose by Victor Roberts illustrated by Esther and Betty Paterson (File 2) - Box 3
Australian Nursery Rhymes by Harold Charles illustrated by Esther and Betty Paterson (File 2) - Box 3
The Princess of the Waterlillies by Leila Pirani illustrated by Betty and Esther Paterson (File 2) - Box 3
Three Decades by George Hermon Gill (Autographed by the Commissioners of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria on, 4 April, 1949 (File 2) - Box 3
Newspapers - The Star (2 copies), October 30, 1933, November 15, 1935, April 9, 1936 (File 1) - Box 4
Newspapers - The Record August 22, 1959 (article on Esther Paterson on front page); November 14, 1964, (Article on Barbara Kerridge); January 15, 1966 (Article on MBE for Betty Paterson), 1959, 1964, 1966 (File 2) - Box 4
Newspapers - The Bulletin February 2, 1955; The New Times, December 1936; Slopers Half Holiday November 17, 1906, 1906, 1936, 1955 (File 3) - Box 4
Newspapers - The Age Literary Supplement, March 22, 1958; The Evening Post, February 8, 1865, 1958 - 1965 (File 5) - Box 4
Article on John Ford Paterson on Page 2 of The Age.
Series 6. Paterson Family: Manuscripts
This series has in four folders the manuscripts found in the collection which have not been written by members of the Paterson family plus a folder of miscellaneous articles and notes.
Series 7. Betty Paterson (Newman/Wiltshire): Letters
This series has one folder of letters from friend congratulating Betty on being awarded an MBE, a letter from Evie Hayes regarding a portrait, letter from the Victorian Artists Society as well as a copy of her Will. They date from 1939 to 1970.
Series 8. Betty Paterson (Newman/Wiltshire): Press Cuttings, Drawings
This series has seven folders of press cuttings and drawings by Betty Paterson as well as some covers by Barbara Newman, which are sorted in rough date order from 1921-1966. There is also a scrapbook in the folio run which was given to Betty by George Hermon Gill in 1946 and has an annotation to that effect in the inside from cover. Also in the folio run is a large picture of Betty Paterson which appeared on the cover of The Australian Pictorial.
Series 9. Betty Paterson (Newman/Wiltshire): Personal Papers
This small series contains two diplomas received by Betty Paterson. One is a Diploma for Violin from the Musical Society of Victoria received in November 1912 and the second one is a Diploma for Theory and Harmony from the Musical Society of Victoria received in May, 1913. The Diplomas are on large cards and are therefore in the folio run.
Series 10. Esther Paterson (Gill): Letters
This series has one folder of letters from such correspondents as the Town Clerk of Melbourne City Council, the Victorian Artists' Society, and the National Gallery of Victoria covering the years 1922-1971. The bulk of the letters in this series, three folders, are letters from George Hermon Gill written during World War 11 (1939-1945) when he served in Navy Intelligence in Newcastle, N.S.W. and in Orpington, Kent.
Series 11. Esther Paterson (Gill): Press Cuttings, Drawings
These ten folders and one scrapbook (held in the folio run) contain press cuttings, drawings, sketch book, illustrations, covers and sketches which were found together. Some have been roughly sorted into date order and cover the period 1932-1963. Cuttings of paintings by Esther Paterson have been sorted together. There is one folder of cuttings of the cartoon "Barnicle Bill".
Series 12. Esther Paterson Gill and George Hermon Gill: Correspondence
Series 12 consists of eight folders of letters to both Esther and George Gill which were found together in the collection. They have been sorted into rough date order and cover the years 1929-1971. These folders have letters from Australian Encyclopaedia, Art Advisory Board, M. Hornibrook, A.N.U. Research School of Pacific Studies. Correspondence with James Penberthy (composer and first husband of Barbara Newman), Thomas Wood (Composer) and the University of Melbourne have been kept in separate folders as they were found in separate folders when the collection was sorted. Other correspondents are Lord Casey, Asher Joel, Dame Pattie Menzies and there is also letters from the National Library regarding the collection.
Series 13. Esther Paterson Gill and George Hermon Gill: Press Cuttings
Series 13 has eight folders of press cuttings found together with the correspondence of Esther Paterson Gill and George Hermon Gill and has been sorted into rough date order. These press cuttings cover the period from 1915-1973 and include obituaries of George Hermon Gill which have obviously been added to the collection prior to it being acquired by The National Library. One folder contains press cuttings of "The Browns of Bangaroo", a series written by Esther and George Gill and published in The Australasian during 1937. Also included in Series 13 are two scrapbooks of press cuttings which are held in the folio run because of their large size. They contain press cuttings from 1935-1956. One scrapbook has cuttings of "On the Record" from 15-5-54 to 29-1-56.
Series 14. George Hermon Gill: Correspondence
The feature of this large series of forty-two folders is the letter books of George Hermon Gill from March 9, 1954 to February 22, 1973. Unfortunately one letter book from January 24, 1966 to March 19, 1967 is missing. There are five folders of correspondence dealing with the International PEN Club from 1950-1960. Correspondence on the Naval History Agreement 1946 and Navy Papers 1918-1953 are in a folder together as they were found together. Other correspondents include the Fellowship of Epicures, Art Advisory Board, various Government Departments. Letters for 1957, 1958, 1969, 1972 which were found in folders have been kept separate and filed with the letter book for that year as that was where they were found when the collection was unpacked. Two folders containing the letter books written by George Hermon Gill to Esther Paterson Gill during the last years of his life are restricted access until the death of Barbara Kerridge (donor).
Series 15. George Hermon Gill: Press Cuttings, Newspapers
This series has ten folders of press cuttings from 1928-1970 which were with the letter books of George Hermon Gill. They contain considerable material on the Navy including many press cuttings of articles written by George Hermon Gill. There are also press cuttings of "Walter and Hermon", "The Time Voyagers", "Melbourne Personalities", "News from Nowhere" as well as cuttings of short stories some of which had been published in Chin Up in 1966.
Series 16. George Hermon Gill: Manuscripts
Series 16 has twenty-one folders of manuscripts of George Hermon Gill's published and unpublished work including the Athenaeum Club History, "The Vics ... 100 years", "Walter and Hermon", "The Record. A Brief History 1868-1968", as well as the manuscripts of many short stories, broadcasts/talks, plays and some journals.
Series 17. George Hermon Gill: Personal Papers
This series contains a signed card of Caxton Lodge dated April 21, 1956 which is in the folio run and one folder containing a certificate of membership of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria 1956 and a certificate granting Honorary Life Governor of Prince Henry's Hospital status to George Hermon Gill. There is also a pass port of George Hermon Gill. This pass port gives George Hermon Gill's place and date of birth (London, 8 March, 1895) and also the place and date of birth for Esther Paterson Gill (Melbourne, 5 February, 1893). This date differs from that printed in the Australian Encyclopaedia.