Guide to the Papers of A. P. Elkin

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MS 9834

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Adolphus Peter Elkin
Title
Papers of A. P. Elkin
Date Range
1898-1979
Collection Number
MS 9834
Extent
0.32 metres (2 boxes + 3 folio items)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The papers of Elkin cover a broad time period. Included are an almost complete set of pocket diaries from 1917-1978; newspaper cuttings relating to Elkin's early church and academic careers; personal papers, such as certificates, personal notes and correspondence; photographs; books; and some papers relating to his wife, Sara Thompson, and his son Peter Kingsley. Correspondents to Peter include Les Murray and Bruce Dawe.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2037185).

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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 A. P. Elkin, National Library of Australia, MS 9834, [box number and series and/or file number]'.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers of A.P. Elkin were purchased by the Library, from Burnet's books, (consigned by Elkin's son), on 12 August 2002.

The University of Sydney Archives (P 130) hold a large collection of Elkin's papers. These papers include research material, field books, correspondence and various other materials pertaining to Elkin's anthropological career.

In the Oral History section, the Library holds an interview with A.P. Elkin in the Hazel DeBerg collection, conducted on 18 May 1965, (ORAL DeB 94). In the interview, Elkin discusses his early interest in anthropology, his life as a clergyman, his work with Aboriginal people, the Anthropology Department at Sydney University, and his writings.

A biography file on Elkin is held at the Library, in addition to Tigger Wise's biography, The self made anthropologist: a life of A.P. Elkin, (N 306.0924 E43W).

Letters of Elkin are also held in the following manuscript collections: MS 766 Chinnery, E.W.P. 1887-1972; MS 2449 Whelan, Philip 1873-1943; MS 3925 Green, H.M. 1881-1962; MS 5068 Duguid, Charles 1884-1986; MS 6573 Preston, M.H, List of World Languages (ca. 1930-1964); MS 8540 Harney, W.E. 1895-1962, Papers.

There is also a microform collection, Mfm M2806-2819 Blackwood, Beatrice 1889-1975.

The Library also holds a number of Elkin's published works, and Oceania, the journal of which Elkin was Editor from 1933-1979.

Arrangement

Order has been imposed on the collection by the Library. Some photographs had been placed in envelopes by the creator, and remain grouped together in Files. The pocket diaries and newspaper cuttings have been placed in chronological order.

Biographical Note

A.P. Elkin was born in West Maitland, New South Wales, on 27 March 1891, to Reuben Israel Elkin and Wilhelmine Ellen, nee Bower. Following the death of his mother, Elkin was raised by his maternal grandfather in Singleton. He attended primary school in Singleton, and later attended Maitland East Boys High School.

After school, Elkin became a junior bank officer at the Commercial Banking Company. He was also involved with the Anglican Church. In February 1912, Elkin was awarded the Church of England's Stanton Scholarship to St. Paul's College at the University of Sydney. He graduated with first class honours in Philosophy in 1915. That same year Elkin was ordained Deacon, and in March 1916 was ordained as a priest. In 1919 he took an academic post as Vice Warden of St. John's Theological College, Armidale.

In 1921 Elkin began a Master's degree, and graduated in 1922 with first class honours, his thesis being 'The religion of Australian Aborigines'. After marrying Sarah Thompson in 1922, and a short appointment with the church, Elkin was offered a part time tutorship in the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) program for 1923. Between 1925 and 1927, Elkin completed his PhD at University College, London, on Aboriginal myth and rituals, and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society. On returning to Australia, he accepted the position of Rector to St. James', Morpeth, which he accepted on the condition that he could continue his field work in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

From 1934, Elkin was appointed Professor of Anthropology at Sydney University. Whilst at the university, he began editing the journal Oceania, which he continued until his death in 1979. During his time as head of Department, he made Australia and New Guinea the focus of the Department's research activities. In 1937 he resigned from his Church duties to concentrate on his anthropological interests.

During his career, Elkin was a member of the Anthropological Committee of the ANRC, which he also chaired; President of the Association for the Protection of Native Races; member of the NSW Aborigines Protection Board; Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales; Trustee of the Australian Museum from 1946-1972 and President from 1962-68; Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS); Fellow and Trustee of the Australian Social Science Research Council; Fellow of the University Senate; and a member of the Council of International House.

Elkin also received a number of awards: the medal of the Royal Society for outstanding scientific endeavour in 1949; the Royal Society of NSW James Cook Medal in 1956; the Herbert E. Gregory Medal of the Bishop Museum (Hawaii) in 1961. In 1966 he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George; and in 1970 Sydney University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Letters.

Elkin died on 9 July 1979, in Sydney, at the age of 88, at a meeting of the Finance sub-Committee of International House. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Item Descriptions

Series 1. Diaries, 1917-1978

Elkin's diaries cover the later part of his career with the Church and his academic career. Between 1917 and 1927 there are several diaries missing. The diaries are largely appointment books with contact details of family and colleagues. Some of the diaries contain notes relating to Elkin's research.

Diaries, 1917, 1919, 1921-22, 1925, 1927 (File 1) - Box 1

Diaries, 1930-1939 (File 2) - Box 1

Diaries, 1940-1949 (File 3) - Box 1

Diaries, 1950-1959 (File 4) - Box 1

Diaries, 1960-1969 (File 5) - Box 1

Diaries, 1970-1978 (File 6) - Box 1

Series 2. Newspaper cuttings, 1914-1927

The newspaper cuttings relate mostly to Elkin's public lectures. There are advertisements and articles for his WEA lectures, such as 'Some Men of the Stone Age'; 'The First Known Man' and 'Totemism Initiation amongst Primitive Peoples'. Other cuttings include letters to the editor written by Elkin, and articles relating to Elkin's church activities.

Newspaper cuttings, 1914-1927 (File 1) - Box 2

Series 3. Personal papers, 1914-1977

The contents of this series are varied, incorporating Elkin's passports and travel documentation for overseas fieldwork; correspondence; a personal notebook containing notes on festivals, litany and other subjects pertaining to Elkin's research; and certificates for various awards.

Travel documentation, passports, certificates, correspondence, note book (File 1) - Box 2

Certificate in leather album: Honorary Life Fellowship to the Council of the Pacific Science Association (File 2) - Box 2

Certificate in tube: Honorary Doctorate of Letters, University of Sydney (File 3) - Box 2

Certificate in shrink wrap in original envelope: Order of Saint Michael and Saint George. Accompanied by The Observer, 1 January 1967 (File 4) - Folio-Box (No. ?)

Series 4. Photographs, 1898-1979

The photographs in this series include Elkin aged 7 years; mounted photos of Elkin at varying ages, including school pictures and photos of him in church robes; the cathedral at Newcastle; Elkin with his parents; and conference photos from Bangkok.

Photographs of Elkin at varying ages, family photographs and conference photos (File 1) - Box 2

Three photographs mounted on card of Elkin, June 1979 (File 2) - Folio-Box (No. ?)

Series 5. Miscellaneous, 1909-1975

Items in this series include flyers from the Workers' Educational Association lecture series; various notes and receipts; a copy of The Newcastle Diocesan Churchman November 1921; and various books, some of which Elkin appears to have received as gifts or prizes.

Bhagavad Ghita, inscribed by Prof. Gokhale; New Testament, inscribed: "from M. White, Confirmation, May 13 1917"; ticket stubs with notes; receipts and notes; lecture flyers. (File 1) - Box 2

The Imitation of Christ, inscribed "Diocese of Newcastle Bishop's Prize Awarded to A.P. Elkin, Advent 1907". (File 2) - Box 2

The Book of Common Prayer, inscribed "To A.P. Elkin, from A.S. Homersham" (File 3) - Box 2

Novus Testamentum Graece, inscribed "Adolphus Peter Elkin from the Bishop of Newcastle, on his ordination to the Diaconate. St Anne's Day 1915" (File 4) - Box 2

Ancient Heresies in Modern Dress, inscribed "The Mitchell Prize 1916 won by A. P. Elkin" (File 5) - Box 2

Framed watercolour: Morpeth Church Hunter River from contemporary sketch 1850 (File 6) - Folio-Box (No. ?)

Series 6. Family papers, 1916-1983

This series contains papers of Peter Kingsley, Elkin's son; and his wife Sara Thompson. Peter is also a university lecturer, and his papers consist of correspondence from Les Murray and Bruce Dawe. Sara practised as a nurse, and her papers contain documents relevant to her profession.

Correspondence; List of Surgical Instruments for Set Operations; Wallsend M.D. Hospital Nurse's Certificate; charts; certificates; letters of recommendation. (File 1) - Box 2


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