Guide to the Papers of L. F. Crisp
MS 5243
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- L. F. Crisp
- Title
- Papers of L. F. Crisp
- Date Range
- 1878-1984
- Collection Number
- MS 5243
- Extent
- 20.8 metres (140 boxes, 2 folio items)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The collection comprises correspondence, diaries, journal articles, lectures, leaflets, manuscripts, memoranda, minutes, notes, newscuttings, reports, conference papers, speeches, talks, photographs, postcards, posters, menus and other ephemera. They document Crisp's long career as a public servant, an academic and a writer and his participation with a number of organisations and government bodies. The bulk of the papers consists of subject files covering a wide range of topics which Crisp had meticulously maintained and added to over the years. Other papers relate to his early career with the Commonwealth Public Service, his academic years at the Canberra University College, the Australian National University, the Australian Labor Party and the Commonwealth Banking Corporation.
The correspondents include Des Ball, W. Macmahon Ball, Kim Beazley Snr., Brian Beddie, Herbert Burton, Gerald Caiden, Sir John Crawford, Lionel Godfrey, Hartley Grattan, Gordon Greenwood, Sir Paul Hasluck, Colin Hughes, Harry Keen, John La Nauze, Henry Mayer, Louise Overacker, Gordon Reid, Clinton Rossiter, Peter Ryan, Stuart Sayers and Richard Spann.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1655808).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 L. F. Crisp, National Library of Australia, MS 5243, [box number and series and/or file number]'.
Provenance
The papers were received by the Library from Mrs Helen Crisp in several instalments in 1976, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1988. The papers purchased in 1985 make up the bulk of the collection. At this time Crisp's extensive personal book library was also donated to the Library under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme.
Related Materials
The Library also holds the L. F. Crisp Collection of printed materials and a table donated by Crisp which was used during meetings of the first Federal Cabinet. At November 2001 the table was located in a staff work area.
Papers of his wife, Helen Crisp, are held at MS 7593. An interview with her is held in the Oral History Collection at TRC 1170.
Arrangement
The various instalments have been amalgamated and arranged into tweny one series. Where possible the original arrangement of the papers and file titles has been preserved. The major exception occurs in Series 20. The subject files containing material relating to Australia have been re-organised into subject categories. Within each category they have been listed alphabetically under the file titles assigned to them by Crisp.
Bibliography
The parliamentary government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne, Longmans, 1949 Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-54, (compiled with S. P. Bennett), Canberra, roneoed, 1954 The Australian federal Labour Party, 1901-1951, London, Longmans, 1955 Ben Chifley: a biography, London, Longmans, 1960 Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965 Melbourne Punch profiles 1904-1929: a chronological list, (compiled with B. Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1971 Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1972 Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-75, (compiled with Barbara Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1975 George Houston Reid: federation father; federal failure, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1979 The later Australian Federation Movement, 1883-1901, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1979 George Richard Dibbs, 1834-1904: Premier of New South Wales; prophet of unification, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1980 Federation prophets without honor: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1980 Australian Labour Party: federal parliamentarians 1901-81, (compiled with Barbara Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1981 The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1981 Charles Cameron Kingston, radical federationist, Canberra, L. F. Crisp, 1984
Biographical Note
Leslie Finlay Crisp was born in Sandringham, Victoria in 1917. He attended Black Rock State School (1924-28) and Caulfield Grammar School (1929). When he was twelve the family moved to Adelaide and he completed his studies at St Peter's College (1930-34).
Crisp attended Adelaide University from 1935 to 1938 and gained his Bachelor of Arts Degree with first class honours in Political Science and History. During this period he met his wife, Helen, and together they helped form the National Union of Australian University Students. He was already active in politics and a regular Workers' Education Association (WEA) lecturer in and around Adelaide.
He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1938 and commenced studies at Balliol College, Oxford in 1939. In 1940 the war interrupted his studies and he returned to Australia and joined the Commonwealth Public Service. He returned to Oxford after the war, completing his BA and MA in 1947-48.
In 1940 Crisp began working for the Australian Shortwave Broadcasting Service in Melbourne. In 1941 he moved to the Department of Labour and National Service and in 1942 transferred to the Department of Post-War Reconstruction. In 1945 he was a member of an Australian delegation which attended the United Nations Conference on International Organisation in San Francisco. In 1949 he was appointed Director-General and stayed in this position until his resignation in 1950.
In 1949 Crisp was appointed Head of Political Science at the Canberra University College and took up the appointment in 1950. In October 1960 the Canberra University College merged with the Australian National University. The departments of Canberra University College formed the new School of General Studies. Crisp retained his postion within the new School.
During his long academic career, Crisp taught courses in Australian, American, British, Russian and German government and politics and some areas and aspects of political theory. In 1970 he vacated the Headship to concentrate on teaching, a role he enjoyed much more than being an adminstrator. On his retirement in 1977 he became Emeritus Professor and later Visiting Fellow within the Department of Political Science.
Crisp was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Banking Corporation in 1974. He was appointed Chairman in 1975 and served in this position until his death in 1984. He served on various other committees including the Prime Minister's Committee on the Future of the National Library, the Committee of Inquiry on the Integration of Data Systems and the Board of the Canberra Community Hospital.
Leslie Finlay Crisp, widely known as 'Fin', died unexpectedly of a heart attack in Canberra in December 1984.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Correspondence, 1940-84
This series consists of both personal and professional correspondence of a wide-ranging nature. The majority of the correspondence relates to Crisp's academic years and includes material relating to administrative matters, comments on courses, letters from students, invitations to speak at conferences and other functions. Many of Crisp's work colleagues were also personal friends and their correspondence also includes personal news about family and mutual friends, academic issues and comments on the political situation both in Australia and overseas. Other correspondence is with publishers in relation to his writings, politicians, public servants, libraries and other research institutions and the many people with whom he came into contact while pursuing other interests.
The correspondents include Des Ball, W. Macmahon Ball, Kim Beazley, Brian Beddie, Herbert Burton, Gerald Caiden, Sir John Crawford, Lionel Godfrey, Hartley Grattan, Gordon Greenwood, Sir Paul Hasluck, Colin Hughes, Harry Keen, John La Nauze, Henry Mayer, Louise Overacker, Gordon Reid, Clinton Rossiter, Peter Ryan, Stuart Sayers and Richard Spann.
The correspondence has been arranged into four sequences. The correspondence in folders 1-12 was originally housed in box files. The papers have been removed from the box files and placed into folders. The correspondence in folders 13-20 was housed in Crisp's office at the Australian National University. Folders 21-28 contain correspondence on a specific subject. Finally, folder 29 contains letters which were removed from books belonging to Crisp. The books have been transferred to the Library's main collection.
Within the four sequences the original arrangement of the material within files has been retained and they have been arranged in chronological order. This has resulted in a high degree of overlap in the date ranges of the files.
Correspondence, 1948-79, mainly with Longmans (later Longman Cheshire), including royalty payments, 1949-65 and book reviews, 1949-55 (File 2-3) - Box 1
Correspondence, 1960-84, relating to publications, manuscripts, book reviews and general publishing matters (File 21) - Box 4
Correspondence, March-December 1964. The file consists of letters sent home by Crisp to his secretary, Mrs Evans, while on an overseas trip. The letters have been typed and circulated to staff at the University (File 22) - Box 4
Correspondence, January-February 1967. The file consists of letters sent home by Crisp to his secretary, Mrs Evans while on a study trip to West Germany. The letters have been typed and circulated to staff at the University (File 24) - Box 5
Correspondence, 1974-75, with members of the public and the Department of Education relating to the teaching of the English language (File 25) - Box 5
Correspondence, 1977, with A. Staley, Minister for the Australian Capital Territory, relating to traffic problems in Stonehaven Crescent, Deakin (File 26) - Box 5
Correspondence, 1978-79, with Longman Cheshire and Hale and Iremonger relating to the re-publishing of The Australian Federal Labour Party 1901-50 (File 27) - Box 5
Series 2. Diaries, 1934-84
This series consists of 21 pocket diaries kept in 1934-39, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1964 and 1975-84. They record mainly appointments, birthdays, functions and special events along with names and addresses. The diary for 1945 is more detailed. It covers the period 12 March - 30 June when Crisp attended the San Francisco Conference and contains a brief daily summary of expenses and events.
Series 3. Early life, 1932-79
Crisp attended Adelaide University from 1935 to 1938 and gained his Bachelor of Arts Degree with first class honours in Political Science and History. While at Adelaide University he was strongly involved with student politics and helped form the National Union of Australian University Students. In 1938 he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and he commenced studies at Balliol College, Oxford in 1939.
In 1940 the war interrupted his studies and he returned to Australia and joined the Commonwealth Public Service. He returned to Oxford after the war, completing his BA and MA in 1947-48.
This series consists of correspondence, conference papers, course notes, debating notes, essays, newscuttings, dinner menus, photographs, programs and miscellaneous ephemera relating to his studies at Adelaide University and then at Oxford.
Correspondence, notes, newscuttings, school lists, dinner menus and other material relating to Crisp's studies at Adelaide University, 1932-39. Crisp has also placed newscuttings and correspondence generated at a later date (1950-79) and relating to the University on this file (File 1) - Box 6
Bound copies of An economic history of Australia by Edward Shann and The work, wealth and happiness of mankind by H. G. Wells which were awarded to Crisp as prizes in 1934 (File 5-6) - Box 7
Three essays: 'Liberalism and socialism, 1800-1850', 'The French Revolution with particular reference to socialist aims and achievements' and 'John Gray: a lecture on human happiness', 1936-37 (File 7) - Box 7
Conference of the Governing Student Bodies of the Six Australian Universities, Adelaide, 15-19 February, 1937: proceedings (File 8) - Box 7
'The British Empire and the Commonwealth', 4th Year Honours Seminar at the University of Adelaide, 1938: papers and notes (File 9) - Box 7
Series 4. Published works, 1954-81
Crisp is best known for his work entitled The parliamentary government of theCommonwealth of Australia which was published in 1949. After several editions and revisions the name was shortened and changed to Australian national government in 1965. This new title has also been revised and reprinted several times. It remains a standard textbook in universities and colleges today.
In 1954 Crisp published his first work on Labor Party personnel and the following year his history of the Australian Labor Party. In later years, when he had more time to devote to writing he self-published a volume on Peter Heydon.
This series consists of correspondence, notes, drafts, transcripts, revisions and copies of various publications by Crisp.
Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-54, (compiled with S. P. Bennett), Canberra, roneoed, 1954: Working copy with correspondence, notes and newscuttings, 1950-77 (File 1-2) - Box 8
Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-54, (compiled with S. P. Bennett), Canberra, roneoed, 1954: Copy of Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-1954 (File 3) - Box 8
The Australian federal Labour Party, 1901-1951, London, Longmans, 1955: Transcript, 1953 (File 4) - Box 9
The Australian federal Labour Party, 1901-1951, London, Longmans, 1955: Reviews of The Australian federal Labour Party, 1901-51 (1955-56) (File 5) - Box 9
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Correspondence, 1973-74 and revisions for the publication of the third edition in 1973 (File 6) - Box 135
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Correspondence, 1975-77 and revisions for the 1975 revised reprint (red cover) (File 7) - Box 135
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Changes for 1975 revised reprint (blue cover) (File 8) - Box 135
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Copy of the 1975 revised reprint with interleaved typescript amendments (File 9) - Box 135
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Typescript revisions and index for the fourth edition in 1978 prepared in 1977. However, a letter accompanying the material indicates that the proofs Crisp received from the publisher cites them as 'Reprinted with revisions 1977' (File 10) - Box 135
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Correspondence, 1977-82, relating to the fourth edition published in 1978 (File 11) - Box 136
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Correspondence, 1982-83 and revisions for the fifth edition published in 1982 (File 12) - Box 136
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Undated drafts and revisions (File 13-15) - Box 136
Australian national government, Croydon, Longmans, 1965: Two copies of The parliamentary government of the Commonwealth of Australia (1949 and 1961) and seven copies of Australian national government (1965-78) with amendments (File 16-24) - Box 137
Melbourne Punch profiles 1904-1929: a chronological list, (compiled with B. Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1971: Correspondence, 1971-72 and working notes relating to the publication (File 25) - Box 9
Melbourne Punch profiles 1904-1929: a chronological list, (compiled with B. Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1971: Copy of Melbourne Punch profiles 1904-1929: a chronological list (File 26) - Box 9
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Correspondence and notes relating to the publication, 1961-72 (File 27) - Box 9
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Completed questionnaires which were filled out by ex-work colleagues of Heydon in the Department of Foreign Affairs, 1971-72 (File 28) - Box 10
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Completed questionnaires which were filled out by ex-work colleagues of Heydon in the Department of Immigration, 1971-72 (File 29) - Box 10
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Congratulatory letters received by Crisp after the publication of the book, 1972-73 (File 30) - Box 10
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Draft transcript and galley proofs with corrections (File 31) - Box 10
Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends, Canberra, privately published, 1972: Copy of Peter Richard Heydon, 1913-1971: a tribute from his friends (File 32) - Box 10
Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-75, (compiled with Barbara Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1975: Working copy with correspondence, notes and newscuttings, 1975-81 (File 33) - Box 10
Australian Labour Party: federal personnel 1901-75, (compiled with Barbara Atkinson), Canberra, roneoed, 1975: Copy of Australian Labour Party: federal personnel, 1901-1975 (File 34) - Box 10
Series 5. Ben Chifley: a biography, 1927-84
Crisp was a great admirer of Ben Chifley having worked under him as a public servant and as a colleague within the Australian Labor Party. After his death in 1951, Crisp was asked by the Executive of the federal Labor Party to write his biography. As part of his research for the book he sent out letters to the major daily newspapers, Chifley's colleagues and friends asking for information about Chifley. He also undertook detailed research from newspapers and other sources. Ben Chifley: a biography was first published in London by Longmans in 1960 and in Australia in 1961.
This series consists of correspondence, journal articles, newscuttings, notes, leaflets, photographs, reports and research files relating to the publication and miscellaneous material and ephemera relating to Chifley. Correspondence relating to Chifley can also be found in Series 1.
Correspondence generated by Chifley, 1940-51. The file contains copies of letters received by Crisp as a result of his request for information. They consist mainly of carbon copies of official correspondence while others have been retyped by Crisp (File 1) - Box 11
Correspondence, 1952-63, mainly with Longman Cheshire, relating to the publication of the biography and a memorandum of agreement (1961). There are also a number of letters seeking permission to use material in the publication (File 4) - Box 11
Congratulatory letters, 1961-65, book reviews, 1961-63, and a transcript of an ABC radio program 'Today's books' by R. F. Brissenden featuring Ben Chifley: a biography, 24 September 1961 (File 5) - Box 11
Correspondence, 1965, relating to a proposed ABC television series on Australian prime ministers, including Chifley, an agreement for Crisp to appear on an ABC television program ' University of the Air: No 4, twentieth century Chifley era' (1961) and the text of the program (File 6) - Box 11
Correspondence, 1978, and notes relating to the writing of a brochure on Chifley for visitors to Chifley's house in Bathurst. The file also contains copies of the completed brochure (File 7) - Box 11
Research files: obituary notices, newscuttings and biographical articles, 1951-59, and commemorative brochures, 1971 (File 19) - Box 13
Transcripts of weekly broadcasts: 'Report to the nation' - No's 1-62, 12 September 1948-13 November 1949 ( missing No's 21, 42, 46, 47, 55, 58) (File 20) - Box 13
Copy of The light on the hill, published by the New South Wales Branch of the Australian Labor Party as a tribute to Chifley, 1951 (File 21) - Box 13
Souvenir booklets of the Bathurst District Band and St Stephens Church, Bathurst (n.d.) (File 22) - Box 14
Holy Bible on which Chifley took the oath when he was sworn in as Prime Minister on 13 July 1945 (File 25) - Box 14
Series 6. Federation monographs, 1979-84
After vacating his position as Head of the Department of Political Science at the Australian National University in 1970 Crisp was able to devote more time to his writings. This series consists of six monographs by Crisp on notable politicians of the federation period whom he greatly admired. The monographs have all been self-published by Crisp.
The later Australian Federation Movement, 1883-1901, Canberra, 1979: Manuscript and typed drafts with corrections (File 1) - Box 15
The later Australian Federation Movement, 1883-1901, Canberra, 1979: Galley proofs (File 2) - Box 15
The later Australian Federation Movement, 1883-1901, Canberra, 1979: Copy of The later Australian Federation Movement, 1883-1901 (File 3) - Box 15
George Houston Reid: federation father, federal failure, Canberra, 1979: Galley proofs (File 4) - Box 15
George Houston Reid: federation father, federal failure, Canberra, 1979: Correspondence, notes and newscuttings on George Reid, 1895-1963 (File 5) - Box 15
George Houston Reid: federation father, federal failure, Canberra, 1979: Copy of George Houston Reid: federation father, federal failure (File 6) - Box 15
George Richard Dibbs 1834-1904: premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification, Canberra, 1980:Manuscript and typed drafts with corrections (File 7) - Box 15
George Richard Dibbs 1834-1904: premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification, Canberra, 1980:Galley proofs (File 8) - Box 15
George Richard Dibbs 1834-1904: premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification, Canberra, 1980:Notes on Dibbs (File 9-10) - Box 16
George Richard Dibbs 1834-1904: premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification, Canberra, 1980:Copy of George Richard Dibbs, 1834-1904: premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification (File 11) - Box 16
Federation prophets without honor: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins, Canberra, 1980:Notes on Piddington (File 12) - Box 16
Federation prophets without honor: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins, Canberra, 1980:Notes on Price (File 13) - Box 16
Federation prophets without honor: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins, Canberra, 1980:Notes on Higgins (File 14) - Box 16
Federation prophets without honor: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins, Canberra, 1980:Copy of Federation prophets without honour: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price,H. B. Higgins (File 15) - Box 16
The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947, Canberra, 1981:Notes, newscuttings and journal articles on Isaacs and draft chapters with corrections (File 16-17) - Box 17
The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947, Canberra, 1981:Manuscript and typed chapters with corrections (File 18) - Box 17
The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947, Canberra, 1981:Galley proofs (File 19) - Box 17
The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947, Canberra, 1981:Copy of The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs, 1897-1947 (File 20) - Box 17
Charles Cameron Kingston, radical federationist, Canberra, 1984: Correspondence, notes and newscuttings on Kingston, 1891-1984 (File 21-22) - Box 17, 18
Series 7. Other Writings, 1950-81
This series consists of other works by Crisp including manuscripts, chapters for books, journal articles, papers, reports and submissions to various government enquiries.
Manuscripts:'Australian policy making': edited with an introduction by L. F. Crisp, (n.d.) (File 1) - Box 18
Book chapters: 'Legislative Research Service: the view from Canberra': chapter for a book entitled The vital adjunct, edited by A. D. Hope, 1971 (File 2) - Box 18
Book chapters: 'Australia's conservatisme sans doctrines': paper prepared for a volume to honour Professor C. Hartley Grattan of the University of Texas, Austin, 1973 (File 2) - Box 18
Book chapters: 'Our Prime Ministers and the Royal Canberra': drafts and notes for a chapter in Royal Canberra Golf Club: jubilee history, Canberra, 1977 (File 3) - Box 18
Book chapters: 'The Labor Party: then and now': paper for inclusion in a volume entitled Labor essays 1982. The file also includes correspondence, 1981-82, with Gareth Evans, co-editor of the volume (File 3) - Box 18
Journal articles: 'Compulsory voting in Australia', Parliamentary Affairs, Vol 4, No 1, Winter, 1950 (File 4) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'Three and four year courses in Political Science', reprinted from the Australian Journal of Politics and History, Vol 4, No 1, August 1958 (File 4) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'The Commonwealth Treasury's changed role and its organisational consequences', Public Administration, December, 1961 (File 4) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'The Australian full employment pledge at San Francisco', reprinted from Australian Outlook, Vol 19, No 1, April 1965 (File 4) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'Public administration as a profession: some Australian reflections on Fulton', Public Administration, Vol 28, No 2/3, June-September, 1969 (File 5) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'The DLP vote 1958-1969: and after', Politics, Vol 5, No 11, May, 1970 (File 5) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'Ramsay Macdonald, James Scullin and Alfred Deakin at Ballarat: imperial standards 1906', Australian Journal of Politics and History, Vol 17, No1, April 1971 (written with Barbara Atkinson) (File 5) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'The official for and against referenda cases', Politics, Vol 9, No 2, November, 1974 (File 6) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'Remember the literature, comrades!: Labour Party readings, then and now', Labour History, No 36, May 1979 (File 6) - Box 19
Journal articles: 'John Medway Day', Journal of the Historical Society of South Australia, No 9, 1981 (File 6) - Box 19
Other: 'Commonwealth policy co-ordination': transcript of an article based on a report to the Canberra Regional Group of the Royal Institute of Public Administration in 1954 (File 7) - Box 19
Other: Paper entitled 'History in the schools', 1954. The file also contains correspondence between Crisp and various colleagues who reviewed the article, 1954-55 (File 7) - Box 19
Other: Evidence offered to the Committee of Inquiry into Commonwealth Public Service Recruitment, 1958 (File 7) - Box 19
Other: 'The Honours B.A. and B.Ec. Degree courses at the ANU': paper written while at Balliol College, Oxford, May 1964 (File 8) - Box 19
Other: 'Undergraduate tutorials at the ANU in subjects like history, philosophy, politics and economics': paper written while at Balliol College, Oxford, July 1964 (File 8) - Box 19
Other: 'Some thoughts on aspects of the German political situation, November 1966 - March 1967': paper written after a five week study tour of West Germany (File 9) - Box 19
Other: 'The siting of the permanent Parliament House', submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee, 1969 (File 9) - Box 19
Other: 'The House at Question-time: need for reform': letter to the Canberra Times, 15 September, 1971 (File 10) - Box 19
Series 8. Book reviews, 1958-81
In a curriculum vitae prepared in 1984 and included in his papers Crisp referred to some 180 review articles and reviews published in journals and newspapers including the Age, Australian BookReview, Australian Journal of Politics and History, Canberra Times, HistoricalStudies, Labour History, Meanjin, Politics and Public Administration.
This series consists of two bound folders of reviews. Each folder contains an index to its contents. There is also a folder containing loose duplicate reviews and another folder containing a small number of reviews with associated newscuttings about the author or publication.
Series 9. Addresses, lectures, speeches and talks, 1941-77
This series consists of radio talks, lectures and speeches by Crisp.
Series of radio talks for the Department of Information, Melbourne on the Australian economy, its history and the trade union movement, 1941-45 (File 1) - Box 20
'The role of the Australian Cabinet Secretariat': paper read to the Victorian Group of the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Melbourne, 20 August, 1953 (File 1) - Box 20
Series 10. Conferences, seminars, 1959-74
Crisp spoke widely at seminars and conferences including state groups of the Royal Institute of Public Administration and the Commonwealth Public Service Board Seminars for Second and Third Division officers and administrative trainees. Many of these papers were later published in journals such as Public Administration.
'Promotion and leadership': paper presented at the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Australian Regional Groups, Second Federal Conference, Canberra, 5-6 November, 1959. Later published in Public Administration, Vol 19, No 1, March 1960 (File 1) - Box 21
'Central co-ordination of commonwealth policy-making: roles and dilemmas of the Prime Minister's Department': paper presented to the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Australian Regional Groups, Ninth Annual Conference, 21-23 November, 1966. Later published in Public Administration, Vol 26, No 1, March 1967 (File 1) - Box 21
'Economy and efficiency: the two levels in the Treasury role': paper presented to the Second Division Seminar on the theme 'Promotion and efficiency in the Commonwealth Public Service', Canberra, 17 March 1969 (File 2) - Box 21
'Administration in conflict?: the roles of the administrator and the professional': paper presented at the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Queensland Regional Group, Fourth Annual Conference, 1970 (File 2) - Box 21
'Specialists and generalists: further Australian reflections on Fulton': shortened version of a paper presented at the Royal Institute of Public Administration, Queensland Regional Group, Fourth Annual Conference, 1970. Later published in Public Administration, Vol 29, No 3, September 1970 (File 3) - Box 21
'The teaching of political sociology in Australia': paper presented at the Australasian Political Studies Association, 12th Annual Conference, Canberra, Australian National University, August 1970 (File 3) - Box 21
'The implications of present trends in commonwealth/state relations for the Commonwealth Service': seminar paper, April 1971 (File 3) - Box 21
'A properly developed committee system and Australian parliamentary democracy', notes for an opening contribution to two Public Service Board Seminars held on 12-14 October and 18-19 October, Canberra, 1971 (File 3) - Box 21
'Politics and the Commonwealth Public Service',: paper presented at a 'Seminar on the politics of bureaucracy', Canberra, Australian National University, 20 July 1972. Later published in Public Administration Vol 31, No 4, December 1972 (File 4) - Box 21
Series 11. Speeches written for others, 1944-49
This series consists of speeches and notes written by Crisp for J. B. Chifley, John Curtin, H. V. Evatt, J. J. Dedman and other government ministers on a wide range of issues relevant to government. Crisp had originally arranged the material alphabetically by subject in binders. The papers have been removed from the binders and placed in folders.
Series 12. Department of Post-War Reconstruction, 1941-50
The Department of Post-War Reconstruction was formed in December 1942. Its first minister was J. B. Chifley (December 1942-February 1945). Chifley was succeeded by J. J. Dedman who was minister from February 1945-1949. Crisp joined the Department in 1942 after a short period in the Reconstruction Research Division of the Department of Labour and National Service. In 1945 he was a member of an Australian delegation which attended the United Nations Conference on International Organization held in San Francisco. While with the department, Crisp wrote many pamphlets and reports which were published anonymously or under the name of Chifley and Dedman. In 1949 he was appointed Director-General and stayed in this position until his resignation in 1950.
This series consists of correspondence, memorandum, notes, lectures, newscuttings, pamphlets, financial statements and reports relating to the Department and its activities.
Notes prepared for the Inter-Departmental Advisory Committee on Reconstruction, 1941 (File 1) - Box 24
Correspondence, 1942-43, relating to the setting up of the department and staffing issues including the transfer of staff from the Department of Labour and National Service (File 2) - Box 24
Various reports relating to the National Works Council and its activities, 1943-49 (File 3-4) - Box 25
Correspondence, papers, reports, newscuttings and photographs relating to the United Nations Conference on International Organization held in San Francisco, USA from 25 April - 26 June, 1945 (File 6-7) - Box 25
'Full employment at San Francisco': paper submitted to Dr Coombs, 6 June, 1945. The paper relates to issues being discussed at the United Nations Conference on International Organization (File 8) - Box 26
Correspondence, newscuttings and notes, 1945-50. The file includes correspondence and newscuttings relating to Crisp's appointment as Director-General in 1949 and his resignation in 1950 (File 9) - Box 26
Papers on investment and the economy for the Investment and Employment Committee, 1947 and Postwar Finance Papers No 3 and 4 (1943) (File 10) - Box 26
Report on the fourth session of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East held at Lapstone, NSW, November 29 - December 11, 1948 (File 12) - Box 26
'Staff lectures': a series of lectures delivered at Assembly Hall, Melbourne, during February, March and April, 1948 to the Division of Industrial Development (File 13) - Box 26
Department of Post-War Reconstruction: analysis of expenditure, 1948/49 (File number C/07-1) (File 14) - Box 26
Department of Post-War Reconstruction: analysis of expenditure, 1949/50 (File number C/07-1) (File 15) - Box 27
'Memorandum of the work of the Secondary Industries Commission 1943-49' prepared by the Division of Industrial Development, Department of Post-War Reconstruction, October 1949 (File 17) - Box 27
'1949 election campaign notes' prepared for the Minister for Post-War Reconstruction, the Hon. J. J. Dedman (October 1949) (File 18) - Box 27
Department of Post-War Reconstruction: estimates of expenditure year ending 30 June 1950 (File 19) - Box 27
'War organisation of industry and the Production Executive of Cabinet: first phase - stepping up the war effort' by J. J. Dedman (n.d.) (File 20) - Box 27
Series 13. Australian National University, 1945-84
In 1949 Crisp was appointed Head of Political Science at the Canberra University College and took up the appointment in 1950. In October 1960 the Canberra University College merged with the Australian National University. The departments of Canberra University College formed the new School of General Studies. Crisp retained his postion within the new School.
During his long academic career, Crisp taught courses in Australian, American, British, Russian and German government and politics and some areas and aspects of political theory. In 1970 he vacated the Headship to concentrate on teaching, a role he enjoyed much more than being an adminstrator. On his retirement in 1977 he became Emeritus Professor and later Visiting Fellow within the Department of Political Science.
This series consists of addresses, course notes, lectures, minutes, memorandum, notes, newscuttings, reports including annual reports and miscellaneous correspondence. The bulk of Crisp's correspondence can be found in Series 1.
Crisp maintained separate folders and binders for the various subjects he taught and added to them over the years. Where dates were available they have been provided below.
Department of Political Science: staffing matters relating to John Bennetts, Bruce MacFarlane, Katharine West and Crisp, 1945-78 (File 1) - Box 28
Issues of Prometheus, the magazine of the Canberra University College Students' Association (1949 and 1956) (File 2) - Box 28
Exam papers in Political Science courses at the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne, 1950-70 (File 4) - Box 28
Annual reports of the Department of Political Science and some background notes on its courses, 1951-82 (File 5-6) - Box 28
Department of Political Science: staffing matters: correspondence with Brian Beddie, 1952-69 (File 7) - Box 28
Prime Minister's Conference on the future of the Australian National University and Canberra University College, Canberra, 23 January 1958: transcript (File 10) - Box 29
'The administration of atomic energy: a comparative study' by S. Encel, Canberra University College, 1959 (File 11) - Box 29
'Political Science in the Australian universities, 1961': paper, 1961. The file also includes notes and other papers on the teaching of Political Science, 1958-63 (File 12) - Box 29
Lack of honours students in Australian universities: report of a meeting, September 1962 (File 13) - Box 29
Correspondence and notes relating to the Master of Arts Degree and course work programs within the University, 1964-71 (File 15-16) - Box 30
'Report of the committee of enquiry into the need for a college of advanced education in the Australian Capital Territory', June 1966. The file also contains a submission to the enquiry by Crisp (File 17) - Box 30
Correspondence, 1966-84, relating to the University libraries including suggestions for text books and journal subscriptions (File 18) - Box 30
'The Australian National University, 1946-60, including an account of the development of Canberra University College and the university movement in Canberra' by M. J. Lewis, 1969 (File 21) - Box 30
Report of the Committee on Student and Staff Participation in University Affairs' presented to the Board of the School of General Studies, 1969 (File 22) - Box 31
Correspondence, memorandum, newscuttings and reports relating to the University Co-operative Bookshop, 1969-79. Crisp was a member of the Board of Directors in 1973-79 (File 23) - Box 31
'Report to the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee on year round teaching' by D. Cochrane, Professor of Economics, Monash University, 1970. The file also includes a response to the report by the ANU Staff Association, October 1970 (File 24) - Box 31
Correspondence between the Encyclopaedia Britannica and the Australian National University Advisory Committee to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1973-79. The file includes a series of occasional letters (5-11) produced by the Encyclopaedia in 1976-79 (File 25-28) - Box 31
'Gravediggers and undertakers - then and now': Fifth Annual John Curtin Memorial Lecture, Canberra, 14 October 1974: text of lecture, a copy of the published pamphlet and correspondence relating to the lecture, 1974-75 (File 30) - Box 32
Brief history of the Administrative and Allied Officers Association, ANU, correspondence inviting Crisp to be its Patron in 1975, a copy of his initial speech to the Association and a copy of its Constitution (File 31) - Box 32
Correspondence, 1976-81, with the Australian Research Grants Committee. Crisp received support from 1977-79 for a project entitled 'The executive leadership of Australian commonwealth governments, 1901-75' (File 32) - Box 32
'Submission to the NSW Prices Commission inquiry into book prices' by the University Co-operative Bookshop, 1979 (File 33) - Box 32
'The growth of big government in Australia, 1901-78: papers from a series of seminars organised by the Economic History Department, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, 1980 (File 34) - Box 32
'The growth of big government in Australia, 1901-78: papers from a series of seminars organised by the Economic History Department, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, 1980 (File 35) - Box 33
Federalism Project Conference, Canberra, Australian National University, 12-13 February, 1981: papers (File 36) - Box 33
Post-War Reconstruction Seminar, Canberra, Australia National University, 31 August-4 September, 1981: papers (File 37-39) - Box 33
Biographical information on Herbert Burton, text of a speech given by Crisp at a dinner to celebrate his 80th birthday (1980), text of a talk by Helen Crisp at a memorial meeting (1983) and a copy of Herbert 'Joe'Burton 1900-1983 (1984) (File 40) - Box 34
Personal file containing correspondence from the Registrar confirming Crisp's extension of his appointment as Visiting Fellow, 1978-84. The file also contains a copy of Crisp's curriculum vitae, 1974-84 (File 41) - Box 34
Series 14. Commonwealth Banking Corporation, 1968-84
Crisp was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Banking Corporation in 1974. In the following year he was appointed Chairman of the Board and remained in this position until his death in 1984.
This series consists of correspondence, notes, newscuttings, itineraries for visits and papers relating to Crisp's positions within the bank. There are also various submissions and reports relating to the inquiry into the Australian financial system which commenced in 1979.
Correspondence, notes, brochures, newscuttings and greeting cards, 1968-84. The correspondence consists mainly of congratulatory letters received by Crisp on his appointment as Chairman of the Board in 1975 and his re-appointment in 1979 (File 1-2) - Box 35
Submission to the Committee of Inquiry into Technological Change in Australia, 1979 (File 4) - Box 35
Itinerary, notes and brochures for a visit to New York and London by the Board Chairman, September 1980 (File 5) - Box 35
Itinerary, notes and brochures for a visit to Queensland by the Board Chairman and the Managing Director, June 1982 (File 6) - Box 35
Itinerary, notes and brochures for a visit to the Northern Territory by the Board Chairman and the Managing Director, July 1982 (File 7) - Box 35
Commonwealth Banking Corporation annual report, 1982 (bound volume with Crisp's name on the cover) (File 8) - Box 36
Commonwealth Banking Corporation annual report, 1983 (bound volume with Crisp's name on the cover) (File 9) - Box 36
Itinerary and notes for the opening of the new State Head Office in Adelaide, October 1983 and a visit to Adelaide for the introduction of the newly appointed Chief State Manager, South Australia, March 1984 (File 10) - Box 36
Commonwealth Banking Corporation annual report, 1984 (bound volume with Crisp's name on the cover) (File 11) - Box 36
Itinerary, notes and brochures for a visit to Western Australia by the Board Chairman and the Managing Director, June 1984 (File 12) - Box 36
Itinerary and notes for a visit to Melbourne for the introduction of the newly appointed Chief State Manager of Victoria, July 1984 and a visit to Melbourne for the 'Man of the year in agriculture awards', sponsored by the Bank, November 1984. Committee of Inquiry into the Australian Financial System, 1979 (File 13) - Box 36
Series 15. Australian Labor Party, 1891-1984
This series consists of correspondence, conference papers, journal articles, leaflets, notes, newscuttings and reports relating to the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Crisp was an active member of the Party especially within the ACT Branch and was also Party historian publishing his history The Australian federal Labour Party, 1901-55 in 1955. He has also drawn upon the material in this series for his academic teachings and other writings. The scope of the material ranges from documents on ALP principles and policy, various policy speeches, historical aspects, problems in the 1950s and seven folders (mainly newscuttings) relating to the Kerr dismissal of 1975.
Summary of Caucus meetings, 1901-60, summary of Cabinet meetings, 1941-49, extracts from Federal Executive meetings, 1945-51 and extracts from State Executive meetings, 1931-36 (File 2) - Box 39
Folder entitled 'Australian Labor Movement' containing journal articles, papers and notes, 1950-75 (File 13) - Box 42
Correspondence and notes relating to the ALP and the ACT Branch, 1950-75. The file includes Crisp's party membership tickets for the years 1942-84 (File 14) - Box 42
'Lang and his times' seminar held at Macquarie University, 23-24 August ,1976: papers and newscuttings (File 35) - Box 48
Series 16. Australian Capital Territory election campaigns, 1940-70
This series consists of campaign speeches, correspondence, newscuttings, leaflets and notes relating to election campaigns held in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It includes campaigns for the ACT Advisory Council which was the main advisory body prior to self-government in 1989 and the ACT seat in the House of Representatives. Crisp was campaign manager on several occasions and his wife, Helen, also participated in the campaigns preparing and giving pre-selection speeches.
Series 17. Royal Institute of Public Administration, 1957-72
Crisp was one of the founding members of the ACT Group of the Royal Institute of Public Administration (RIPA) which was formed in 1953. He was President in 1957-59 and Vice President in 1959-78. He was appointed anHonary Fellow and Honary Life Member of the ACT Division in 1983.
This series consists of minutes and various reports of the ACT Group of the RIPA and conference papers from various state groups.
Royal Institute of Public Administration, ACT Group, minutes and reports of the Executive Council, 1957-59 (File 1) - Box 51
Royal Institute of Public Administration, Conference on Government and the Scientist, Canberra, 20-22 November, 1967: papers (File 2) - Box 51
Royal Institute of Public Administration, Conference of Australian Regional Groups, Canberra, 1969: papers (File 3) - Box 51
Series 18. Commonwealth Public Service Board, 1968-72
Crisp was a regular speaker and participant at seminars conducted by the Commonwealth Public Service Board for Second and Third Division officers and administrative trainees. This series consists of conference papers in 1968-69 and 1971-72. Some of the papers given by Crisp are listed in Series 10.
Commonwealth Public Service Board, Second Division Seminar, 21 October - 1 November, 1968: papers (File 16) - Box 52
Series 19. Australasian Political Studies Association, 1980-83
Crisp was one of the founding members of the Australian (now Australasian) Political Studies Association in 1956. This series consists of papers presented at the Association's annual conferences in 1980-83.
Australasian Political Studies Association, 22nd Annual Conference, Canberra, Australian National University, 27-29 August, 1980: papers (File 1-2) - Box 53
Australasian Political Studies Association, 23rd Annual Conference, Canberra, Australian National University, 28-30 August, 1981: papers (File 3-4) - Box 53
Series 20. Subject files, 1878-1984
This series forms the bulk of Crisp's papers. The subject or research files have been compiled mainly from newspaper cuttings and journal articles. Newscuttings have been regularly clipped from the major Australian daily newspapers and some overseas newspapers. Journal titles scanned include the Listener, Nation, New Republic, New Statesman and the Times Literary Supplement. The files cover a diverse range of topics including all aspects of Australian government and politics, economics, literature, philosophy and overseas countries such as the United Kingdom and United States of America.
The series has been artificially divided into two sections consisting of Australian and overseas material. The Australian material has been arranged into subject categories and within each category listed alphabetically. Where possible Crisp's file titles have been retained.
The non-Australian material has been listed in the same sequence as it was housed in Crisp's study. The original order has been preserved. Crisp has to a certain degree maintained his own subject arrangement of the material, e.g., novelists and writers, politics, philosophers, socialism, and by country. Again Crisp's original file titles have been retained.
Australian Capital Territory: Historical articles, notes and miscellaneous papers relating to the ACT, 1903-83 (File 6-7) - Box 56
Australian Public Service: Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), 1972-81 (File 9) - Box 56
Australian Public Service: Boyer Committee of Inquiry into Commonwealth Public Service Recruitment, 1950-69 (File 10) - Box 56
Australian Public Service: General (including policy and administration), 1942-84 (File 15-27) - Box 58, 59, 60, 61
Australian Public Service: Recruitment in the Commonwealth Public Service: study by the ACT Group of the Royal Institute of Public Administration, 1956-57 (File 39) - Box 63
Australian Public Service: Royal Commission on Government Administration, 1974-75 (File 43-49) - Box 64, 65, 66
Federation: Papers belonging to Tom Price and Sir William Sowden, relating to Federation, 1878-1908, including notes, leaflets and newscuttings. The file also contains an envelope of photographs with images of the Federal Convention of 1897-98 (File 135-136) - Box 81
Parliament:Select Committee on Parliament's Appropriations and Staffing, 1979-81 (File 167) - Box 88
Political Parties: Minor parties including Democrats and Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL), 1954-79 (File 197) - Box 94
Series 21. Other Papers, 1901-74
This series consists of correspondence, lectures, newscuttings, notes, biographical material, reports, conference papers, photographs, posters and other miscellaneous ephemera. Most of the papers relate to committees and organisations Crisp was associated with and which have not been described elsewhere in this finding aid, e.g. Prime Minister's Committee on the Future of the National Library, the Committee of Inquiry on the Integration of Data Systems and the Canberra Community Hospital. There is also correspondence belonging to others, which has been passed to Crisp for research purposes.