Guide to the Papers of Donald Ian McDonald
MS 5147
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Donald Ian McDonald
- Title
- Papers of Donald Ian McDonald
- Date Range
- 1956-1991
- Collection Number
- MS 5147
- Extent
- 5.7 metres (28 ms boxes, 1 map folio item)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, notes, research material, minutes, newspapers clippings, newsletters and other printed material. The papers document McDonald's activities in the field of historical writing and research. The correspondence and research files reflect his meticulous and extensive study of many aspects of Australian history, particularly colonial architecture and the development of mental health services. There is also evidence of McDonald's generous assistance and advice to other students of history, and his commitment to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Royal Australian Historical Society, Canberra and District Historical Society, ACT Historic Sites and Buildings Committee and associated groups.
McDonald published four books, and was a prolific writer and editor of journal articles and reviews. Among the works documented in this collection are his biographical writings on Colonial Architect James Barnet, architect and civil servant William Wilkinson Wardell and medical practitioner Frederic Norton Manning, together with his history of the shire of Harden in New South Wales. At the time of his death McDonald was working on an administrative history of the early Public Service, 'Your obedient servants : a history of the Commonwealth Public Service, 1901-1910'. The collection includes a comprehensive series of research files relating to the Commonwealth Government from the 1880s to 1910.
The major correspondents include Peter Alsop, John Bennett, Ken Cable, Christopher Cunneen, R.L. Edenborough, J.M. Freeland, H.C. Harper, Marsden Hordern, Peter Hughes, Ken Inglis, John Keaney, Hazel King, Errol Lea-Scarlett, R.A. Littlejohn, T. J. Linane, Peter Martin, Bede Nairn, Joy Newton, Patrick O'Farrell, Douglas Pike, Bruce Pratt, Salvatore Restifa, Alan Roberts, Geoffrey Serle, Russel Ward, Teresa Wardell and Stephen Welsh.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2618617).
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], MS 5147, National Library of Australia, Papers of Donald Ian McDonald, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
Donald Ian McDonald donated his papers to the Library in a number of instalments from 1972 to 1986. Following his death, two further instalments were received from McDonald's sister Gwen McDonald in September 1990 and April 1993.
Arrangement
The arrangement of the papers as maintained by McDonald has been preserved by the Library. Related material held by the Library includes a folder of biographical material (MS 8425), compiled by Philip Selth for his article 'Donald Ian McDonald 1923-1990 - A scholar and a gentleman - a memoir', Canberra Historical Journal (1991).
Biographical Note
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence and related papers, 1956-90
McDonald corresponded extensively with fellow historians, researchers and writers. The correspondence reflects his diverse range of interests, particularly his study of colonial architecture and the development of mental health services. The correspondence also documents his involvement with numerous historical societies and related groups, including the Royal Australian Historical Society and the Canberra and District Historical Society. McDonald organised and participated in numerous conferences, workshops and lectures. He also edited and contributed to various historical and biographical publications, among them the Australian Dictionary of Biography,the Canberra Historical Journal, Archetype, the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society, Footprints and the Medical Journal of Australia.
This series also includes invitations, congratulations, newsletters and other printed material. There is an extensive collection of newspaper clippings of articles, reviews and McDonald's letters to various newspapers relating to topical events, and reflecting such interests as preservation of historic sites, censorship and privacy.
Correspondence and related papers, 1956-75 (File 1_2) - Box 1
Correspondents include Evan Barnet, C.A. Burmester, John Cumpston, Brian Dickey, E.H. Farmer, J.M. Freeland, H.C. Harper, Hazel King, Errol Lea-Scarlett, T.J. Linane, A.W. Martin, J. H. McClemens, Bede Nairn, Patrick O'Farrell, Douglas Pike, Bruce Pratt, Salvatore Restifa, Harold Royle and Peter Spillett.
Correspondence and related papers, 1961-74 (File 3) - Box 1
Correspondents include Peter Alsop, John Bennett, Walter Ebsworth, Bryan Gandevia, Philip Geeves, H.C. Harper, John Keaney, Errol Lea-Scarlett, T. J. Linane, R.A. Littlejohn, Peter Martin, Bede Nairn, Joy Newton, Bruce Pratt and P.B. Sheedy.
Correspondence and related papers, 1965-71 (File 4_5) - Box 1
Correspondents include Peter Alsop, A.E. Cahill, Betty Crowley, H.C. Harper, J.M. Freeland, Hazel King, Errol Lea-Scarlett, John Keaney, Peter Martin, Bede Nairn, Patrick O'Farrell, Salvatore Restifa, David Saunders, W.T. Southerwood, Kylie Tennant and Jan Whitehead
Correspondence and related papers, 1966-75 (File 6) - Box 1
Correspondents include Marnie Bassett, George Chandler, John Cumpston, R.A. Littlejohn, Nan Phillips, Pat Wardle, Stephen Welsh and Harold White.
Correspondence and related papers, 1972-80 (File 7) - Box 2
Correspondents include Peter Alsop, Peter Freeman and Eric Martin.
Correspondence and related papers, 1974-80 (File 8) - Box 2
Correspondents include George Chandler, Winifred Garvan, H.C. Harper, John Haslem, John Keaney, Hazel King, R.A. Littlejohn, Bede Nairn, Nan Phillips, Heather Radi, Jill Roe, Jennifer Sherwood, Norma Townsend and Teresa Wardell.
Correspondence and related papers, 1975-79 (File 9) - Box 2
Correspondents include George Chandler, J.M. Freeland, Diane Jones, R.A. Littlejohn, Bede Nairn, Russel Ward and Gerard Windsor.
Correspondence and related papers, 1975-80 (File 10) - Box 2
Correspondents include Stephen Garton, R.A. Littlejohn, Bede Nairn, Alan Roberts, Rachel Roxburgh and Paul Ryan.
Correspondence and related papers, 1976-80 (File 11) - Box 2
Correspondents include Tulla Brown, Rod Cooper, H.C. Harper, Arnold Harris, Brian Kelly, Hazel King, R.A. Littlejohn, Bede Nairn, Marie Sexton and Russel Ward.
Correspondence and related papers, 1979-81 (File 12) - Box 2
Correspondents include Richard Appleton, J.C. Caldwell, Alan Clark, John Daley, A.B. Davis, R.L. Edenborough, Fred Gregory, George Hardwick, Mary Harper, Ken Inglis, Errol Lea-Scarlett, Brian Madden, Allan Martin, John Mordike, Steve Mullins, Bede Nairn, John Pearn, Alan Roberts, Jean Ryan and Ian Wilson.
Series 2. Australian Dictionary of Biography, 1968-90
The first volume of the Australian Dictionary of Biographyappeared in 1966 and by the time of McDonald's death a further 11 volumes had been published. During his long association with the Australian Dictionary of BiographyMcDonald contributed 27 entries, ranging from entries on architects to publicans, barristers and public servants. Only five of his entries are represented in this series. There are also notes and drafts for two further entries, which were not published. McDonald corresponded with editors Christopher Cunneen, Cameron Hazlehurst, Ken Inglis, Bede Nairn and Geoffrey Serle. There are also papers relating to McDonald's work with the Australian Dictionary of BiographyCommonwealth Working Party, 1989-90, nominating inclusions for the '1940-1980' volumes. Material relating to entries for James Walker and Sir Harry Newton Phillips Wollaston is included in Series 11.
Series 3. ACT Historic Sites and Buildings Committee, 1972-78
The Australian Capital Territory Historic Sites and Buildings Committee was established in 1972. This series provides a record of the work of the Committee during its first five years, and is a source of detailed information regarding the identification and preservation of many of Canberra's historic sites and buildings. McDonald resigned as chairman and committee member in 1978. Among the papers are minutes, site notes and preservation plans, newsletters, articles, leaflets, reports and other printed material.
Series 4. University of New England, 1975-78
McDonald obtained his Bachelor of Letters from the University of New England in 1978, and completed his Master of Arts (Hons) at the University in 1984. The papers in this series relate to the earlier degree and include administrative correspondence, essays, exam papers and research material relating to his studies in Australian history. There are also typescripts of McDonald's Litt.B. thesis 'The 1878 Lunacy Act and afterwards : a study of the development of mental health legal and administrative services in nineteenth century New South Wales'. McDonald's essays for the course include 'British thinking and practices in the field of 19th century mental health' and 'The introduction of conscription for overseas military service'.
Series 5. Royal Australian Historical Society, 1978-88
McDonald had a long and active involvement with the Royal Australian Historical Society, which he joined in 1953. He served on numerous committees, worked as a research officer, and contributed many articles and reviews to the Royal Australian Historical Society Journal and the Royal Australian Historical Society Newsletter. This series includes correspondence, minutes, newsletters and annual reports regarding various Society projects, conferences and publications, including plans for the 1988 Bicentenary. Among the correspondents are John Bennett, Ken Cable, Marsden Hordern, Peter Hughes, Robert Irving, Roy McLeod, Bede Nairn, Peter Orlovich, W.O.C. Roberts and John Christian Vaughan.
Series 6. Canberra Oral History Project, 1981
This small series relates to McDonald's involvement with the Canberra Oral History Project, sponsored by the ACT Branch of the Oral History Association of Australia. McDonald worked on the Project as a representative of the Canberra and District Historical Society. The papers include a series of questions drafted by McDonald for the 1938 component of the Project.
Series 7. Canberra and District Historical Society, 1987-90
McDonald became actively involved with the Society after moving to Canberra in 1962, and this association continued until his death. McDonald served terms as president and vice-president of the Society and as editor of the Society's Canberra Historical Journal. He was also a major contributor of articles and reviews to the Journal. The papers in this small series relate to McDonald's time as review editor of the Journal, from 1988 to 1990. There is correspondence with John Atchison, Peter Bridges, Edward Duyker, Gillian Hibbins, Elaine Jones, David Walker and Barry York, as well as typescripts of reviews from various contributors.
Series 8. James Barnet, 1967-69
James Barnet joined the New South Wales Colonial Architect's Office in 1860. From 1865 to his retirement in 1890, Barnet held the office of Colonial Architect, responsible for the design and construction of all public buildings in New South Wales. This series includes correspondence with Evan Barnet and Douglas Pike, notes and research material relating to James Barnet and the Colonial Architect's Office, and McDonald's manuscript 'James Barnet - Colonial Architect, 1865-1890 : a most meritorious public officer'. Together with Peter Bridges, McDonald published the book James Barnet : Colonial Architectin 1988. McDonald also contributed the entry on James Barnet to the Australian Dictionary of Biography (volume 3).
Series 9. William Wilkinson Wardell, 1969-81
Architect and civil servant, William Wilkinson Wardell served as Inspector General of Public Works, Victoria, from 1861 until 1878, when he was dismissed with other civil servants by the Victorian Government. Wardell then moved to Sydney, continuing his private practice until his death in 1899. McDonald researched and wrote extensively on Wardell. His writings include 'William Wilkinson Wardell : architect and engineer', Victorian Historical Magazine (1970); 'William W. Wardell : Inspector General of Public Works, Victoria, 1861-1878', Archetype(1973); the Australian Dictionary of Biographyentry (volume 6) and 'Cathedral architect : William W. Wardell', Footprints (1971). This series includes correspondence, typescripts, photographs, notes and photocopied research material. Among the correspondents are Keith Butler, John Keaney, Frank Somers, Teresa Wardell and Stephen Welsh.
Series 10. Frederic Norton Manning, 1971
Frederic Norton Manning served as Inspector General of the Insane, New South Wales from 1876 until his retirement in 1898. This series includes McDonald's manuscript 'Frederic Norton Manning (1839-1903)' and related research material. McDonald published an article on Manning in the Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1972, and contributed the entry for the Australian Dictionary of Biography(volume 5).
Series 11. 'Your obedient servants : a history of the Commonwealth Public Service, 1901-1910', 1988-90
McDonald was working on a history of the beginnings of the Commonwealth Public Service at the time of his death. This series includes typescript drafts with extensive handwritten corrections, correspondence regarding publication and comprehensive subject files relating to the development of the Commonwealth Public Service. The files on Sir Harry Newton Phillips Wollaston and James Walker include typescripts of entries by McDonald for the Australian Dictionary of Biography. There are also 14 computer discs comprising various drafts. A printout of the 'Master draft' disc may be found in folders 6-10.
14 × 3½" computer discs, comprising various drafts (File 5) - Box 11
Documents, Minifinder, CPS - Public Service Kingston, Harden - Bourke, Littlejohn, Dictionary (Item NLA.MS-DM000002) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskUnpublished Papers, C.P.S. - Public Service, Kingston - Fraden [?], Herman Index, Harden, Bourke (Item NLA.MS-DM008080) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskC.P.S. - Heads of Depts 1901+ (Item NLA.MS-DM008082) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy disk1. Posts and Telegraphs - The Colonial Service, 2. Defence (Item NLA.MS-DM008083) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskHarden - History. D.I.McDonald 1989 (Item NLA.MS-DM008084) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskCPS - History [Master Copy] (Item NLA.MS-DM008086) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskC.P.S. History Master Copy - Pt 2 (Item NLA.MS-DM008088) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskcomment - this is a blank disc!
Shire of Harden - No 2 - C.P.S. History No 1 PT2 (Item NLA.MS-DM008089) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskPub. Service - 1 - Intro - C.1. - Constitution, Chapter 2 - Ministers, Chapter 3 - Servants, Chapter 4 - Admin Arr. (Item NLA.MS-DM008090) - Digital-Carriers-Box 1
1 Item, 3.5 inch floppy diskTypescript draft, 'Australian colonial defence', 25 March 1989, together with 'Commonwealth Public Servants - biographical notes' (File 10) - Box 11
Series 12. The Shire of Harden : a history of local government 1890-1990 (1990)
To commemorate the centenary of its local government, the Harden Shire Council commissioned McDonald to write a history of the region. This series includes correspondence with the Harden Shire Council, notes, photocopied research material, index cards and reviews.
Series 13. Other writings, 1964-86
McDonald's prolific writings included books, journal articles and reviews. He also lectured on a diverse range of subjects, primarily historical and biographical topics and research methods. The typescripts in this series include 'The Colonial Architects', 'Henry James O'Farrell : Fenian, or moonstruck miscreant', 'The Australian Soldiers Repatriation Fund - an experiment in social legislation', 'Civil Servants of the Crown! The gaol chaplains - Fathers Dillon, Coghlan and Dwyer', 'The morbid gloom of ignorance : the convict teachers', 'Local history the task for a district historical society' and 'Training of staff'. There are also papers relating to 'The history of medicine and health in Australia', a conference held at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, 1980, and featuring McDonald's paper 'Hospitals for the insane in the young colony'.
Series 14. Printed Material, 1965-88
Included in this series are books, pamphlets, newsletters and other printed items such as The 1888 Centenary Celebrations and new developments in the writing of Australian history (1988) by Brian Fletcher, Writing local history : methods, sources and themes(1985) edited by Alan Roberts and featuring 'Public Records and local history' by McDonald, and A history of medical administration in New South Wales 1788-1973 by C.J. Cummins (1979). There are also newspaper clippings of McDonald's letters to various newspapers, reviews and articles by him, reviews of his writings and other items of interest.
Series 15. Personal documents, 1972-91
This small collection of personal documents includes certificates for McDonald's Royal Australian Historical Society Fellowship (1972), University of New England Bachelor of Letters (1978) and Master of Arts with Honours (1985), together with the 1991 Excellence Awards High Commendation for James Barnet : Colonial Architect (1988) from the Institute of Engineers.
Series 16. Photographs
Among the photographs in this series is one of McDonald and co-author Peter Bridges with Peter Cox, Minister for Public Works, at the launching of James Barnet : Colonial Architect(1988), and a portrait of McDonald by David Coward (1984). There are also illustrative photographs for some of McDonald's writings, including 'Your obedient servants : a history of the Commonwealth Public Service, 1901-1910'. Photographs used for articles on William Wilkinson Wardell are included in Series 9.