Guide to the Papers of Vivian Smith
MS 4853
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2010
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Smith, Vivian, 1933-
- Title
- Papers of Vivian Smith
- Date Range
- c.1931-2003
- Collection Number
- MS 4853
- Extent
- 5.4 metres (31 ms boxes + 1 medium folio box + 1 small phase box)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- Special Collections (Manuscripts)
- Sponsor
- This finding aid was revised and published with the assistance of the Ray Mathew and Eva Kollsman Trust.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
The content of this collection spans most of Dr Smith's career and consists of five different instalments between 1975 and 2004. It includes correspondence, manuscript poetry, transcripts of interviews, publications (including copies of Smith's published poems), articles by or about Smith, reviews, newspaper cuttings, works by other poets and writers, ephemera, notebooks, Smith's PhD thesis on Vance and Nettie Palmer, research notes relating to Smith's publications on the Palmers, (including original and photocopied letters of Vance and Nettie Palmer), notebooks and typescript drafts. Also included are papers relating to Smith's position in the English Department at the University of Sydney, and his role as literary editor of Quadrant. A major component of this collection is the correspondence which includes numerous letters from other poets, writers, academics and individuals involved or interested in Australian literature. Three appendices have been attached to highlight the range and names of principle correspondents.
Conditions Governing Access
Access conditions may apply to this collection, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1109700).
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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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 Dr Vivian Smith, National Library of Australia, MS 4853, [series and file number]'.
Provenance
The papers arrived to the Library in a number of different instalments. Three instalments relating to the Palmer material were donated to the Library in 1974, 1977 and 1979. In 1983 20 boxes were acquired from Dr Smith; and in 2004 a further instalment of three boxes was donated to the Library under the Cultural Gifts Program.
Related Materials
As well as a number of Smith's published works highlighted below in the Biographical Note, the Library holds an interview with Vivian Smith, conducted by Hazel de Berg (1971), available at ORAL TRC 1/560.
A number of the Library's other Manuscript Collections contain correspondence and other material relating to Smith, including the Papers of Ray Mathew (MS 8264), Rosemary Dobson (MS 4955), Geoffrey Dutton (MS 7285) and A D Hope (MS 5836). The Papers of Vance and Nettie Palmer (MS 1174) are also held by the Library.
Further material relating to Vivian Smith is located in the Papers of Vivian Smith, at the Australian Defence Force Acadmey (ADFA), Canberra, at MS 41.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged according to the order of each of the five instalments received from Dr Smith. The original list incorporated the 1974, 1977 and 1979 instalments, which make up the letters and papers relating to Vance and Nettie Palmer. The 1983 instalment was arranged and described by the donor into three series - Series 1 'Manuscripts, typesets and related correspondence'; Series 2 'Correspondence'; and Series 3 'Miscelleanous materials'. These series were added to the original boxlist.
In March 2009 the list was amended to incorporate the 2004 instalment. This instalment, arranged and described by Library staff, has been split. Parts have been added to the existing three series (Series 1-3); and a new series has been created for the audio cassette tapes (Series 5). At this time, the existing group of Palmer papers (received in the 1970s) was assigned a new series title. This is now Series 4.
Biographical Note
Vivian Smith was born in Hobart in 1933. He graduated with an MA in French from the University of Tasmania, where he taught the language for 10 years. He moved to Sydney in the 1950, obtained a Ph.D in English and taught at the University of Sydney from 1967-1996, progressing to the position of Reader. From 1975 to 1990 he was the Literary Editor of Quadrant. Dr Smith has written, edited or co-edited numerous books on poetry and other subjects, such as Vance and Nettie Palmer. Some of his titles include The other meaning(1956), James McAuley's recent poetry(1964), An island south(1967), Vance Palmer (1971), Letters of Vance and Nettie Palmer (1977), Tide country(1982) (which won the New South Wales Premier's Prize for Poetry and the Grace Leven Prize), Quadrant, twenty-five years(1982, co-edited with Peter Coleman and Lee Shrubb), Selected poems (1985), Australian poetry(1986), Nettie Palmer: Her private journal "Fourteen Years", poems, reviews and literary essays (1988, edited by Smith),New selected poems(1995), Late news (2000), Patrick White: a Bibliography (2004, co-edited with Brian Huber), Windchimes: Asia in Australian poetry(1986, co-edited with Noel Rowe) and, most recently, Along the line (2007). Dr Smith also wrote the poetry section of The Oxford history of Australian literature and has contributed to many other reference works on Australian and world literature.
AustLit - The Australian Literature Resource: http://www.austlit.edu.au, cited 3 March 2009
Australia - Poetry International Web: http://australia.poetryinternationalweb.org, cited 3 March 2009
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Manuscripts, typesets and related correspondence
This series consists of manuscript poetry, typescript drafts of articles, some publications, a PhD thesis and correspondence. The correspondence includes a letter from Patrick White.
Files 21-25 contain papers on Vance and Nettie Palmer. Further papers on the Palmers are available in Series 4 'Research papers relating to Vance and Nettie Palmer'.
James McAuley material [ in ] the possession of Vivian Smith and important McAuley manuscripts of autobiographical poems (File 8)
Typescript (with corrections) of Oxford history of Australian literature : Poetry Section and related correspondence (File 16)
Typescript (photocopy - with corrections) of Oxford history of Australian literature: Poetry Section (File 19)
Correspondence relating to V. Smith's Ph.D. thesis; and miscellanous letters; includes letter from Christopher Koch and Ph.D. thesis "Vance and Nettie Palmer: a study of their contribution to a national literary culture" (File 20)
Series 2. Correspondence
This series consists of correspondence received by Smith. It contains correspondence from the 1983 instalment and the 2004 instalment of correspondence has been added to this series and comprises Folders 85-107.
The 2004 instalment of correspondence arrived in 11 envelopes and plastic bags, with each bundle being placed into archival folders. The order of each bundle has been maintained and, where titles have been created by Smith, these too have been retained. Where correspondence is not titled, a title has been applied by the archivist. The folders have been arranged into alphabetical order.
The series contains correspondence from friends, colleagues, students as well as other general correspondence. Folders 85-107 cover a range of topics, from letters from Smith's children and other family members to correspondence to Smith as Quadrant editor. A large component of the correspondence consists of offers for Smith to contribute to anthologies, dictionaries, and other literary projects; or friends, colleagues and students asking him to read and comment on their poetry. Many of the letters are written to both Vivian and his wife, Sybille.
There is a list of principal correspondents found in this series (see attached Appendix - under 'Related Documentation tab). The first part of the appendix relates to correspondence of Smith's editorship of Quadrant (Files 31-33); the second part of the appendix is titled 'Partial listing of Smith correspondence' (Files 51-78) and the third part of the appendix lists the main correspondents from the 2004 instalment (Files 85-107).
Correspondence (File 33)
A list of the correspondents relating to Files 31-33 is attached (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
General correspondence (File 51_55)
A partial listing of Smith's general correspondence folders (Files 51-78) is attached (under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Each file also contains a handwritten list of correspondents created by Smith.
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1951-2003 (File 85_86)
These folders were originally one bag of correspondence. Corespondents include Alec Bolton, Robin Lucas and Michael Kluse. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1952, 1989-2003 (File 87_88)
These folders were originally one bag of correspondence. Correspondents include Gavin Souter, Rosemay Dobson, Murray Bail, Michael Ackland and Thomas Shapcott. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Letters from R J Brain, c.1955-1979 (File 90_91)
These folders were originally one bag of correspondence. Richard Brain and Vivian Smith first met in 1959 and have remained friends. Richard Brain is a former publishers' editor, reader and literary advisor and worked for a number of different publishers: Hamish Hamilton, Faber and Oxford University Press. He also worked as an editorial assistant at the Times Literary Supplement.
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1961, 1983-2003 (File 92)
Correspondents include Christopher Koch, Nicolas Jose and Anne Fairbairn. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Personal and literary correspondence, c. 1962, 1983-1996 (File 93_94)
These folders were originally one bag of correspondence. Correspondents include Les Murray, Michael Brain, David Malouf, Kevin Hart and Rosemay Dobson. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Various letters: Literary, 1963, 1983-1996 (File 95_96)
These folders were originally in one large envelope. Correspondents include Michael Sharkey, Laurie Hergenahan and Paul Hetherington. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1963-1996 (File 97)
A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Literary correspondence, c.1966-1986 (File 97A)
A list of correspondents prepared by Smith is included in this folder. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Mixed letters, c.1975-1999 (File 98_100)
These folders were originally in one large envelope. A list of correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1977-1996 (File 101_102)
These folders were originally in one plastic bag. Includes family correspondence. Correspondents include Bruce Dawe and Michael Thwaites. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Miscellaneous literary correspondence, c.1978-1995 (File 103)
A list of correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Personal and literary correspondence, c.1985-2001 (File 104_105)
The archivist has created these folders of correspondence which arrived as loose papers in the 2004 instalment. A list of correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Various letters: Literary, c. 1986-1996 (File 106_107)
Letters were originally in one large envelope. Correspondents include Alec Bolton, Dorothy Green, Christopher Koch, Michael Thwaites and Kevin Hart. A list of other correspondents is available (see the attached Appendix under the 'Related Documentation' tab).
Series 3. Miscellaneous materials
This series consists of an array of materials such as poems, reviews, articles and publications. The series came to the Library in 1983. The 2004 instalment has been added to the end of the series as folders 108-127 and has been arranged in chronological order.
Given that most of the 2004 instalment of miscellaneous material arrived with no apparent order, the archivist sorted the papers into various groups. Where files and titles already existed, the order of these were maintained. For loose papers, the Archivist imposed order and assigned titles.
Poems set to music by James Penberthy, Barrie de Jersey, ael Jones, F.R. Nieman, Simon Wade (File 82)
Printed matter, 1958-1975 (File Folder 84a)
Consists of copies of Nation,Blacksmith and an article from the Australian.
Printed matter, c.1956-1978 (File Folder 84d)
Includes copies of works by Smith including An Island South(1967), The poetry of Robert Lowell (1974), Poetry magazine (1969), Les Vigé en Australie(1967), The other meaning(1956), Vance Palmer(1971). Also included are newspaper cuttings (c. 1967-1978), mostly reviews of Smith's works.
Poetry (File 109)
Four manuscript typescript poems, as well as 7 pages of biographical information for Contemporary authors new revision series.
Reviews (File 110)
Includes a list of articles on Smith, as well as a 1997 letter from Smith to the Literature Board, Australia Council.
Various literary papers, c.1963-2001 (File 113)
Includes newspaper cuttings, an article by Sybille Smith and a 1983 program of the Instrumental and Poetry Ensemble held in Hobart.
Various working papers, c.1988-1997 (File 119)
An array of papers from writings, reviews, correspondence and talks to papers relating to Smith's 1996 retirement from the University of Sydney. Several papers also relate to Smith's role in Rosemary Dobson receiving a 1996 honorary degree from the University.
Writings about Vivian Smith, c.1994-1999 (File 122)
Inlcudes a typescript of an interview with Smith.
Festival Franco-Anglais de poésiè, 1997 (File 126)
In 1997, Smith attended the 20th Festival Franco-Anglais de Poésièin Paris. This folder contains correspondence, brochures and programs relating to this event.
Series 4. Research papers relating to Vance and Nettie Palmer
This series consits of correspondence, drafts and other research papers used by Smith in his research on Vance and Nettie Palmer. Smith published a number of publications on the Palmers includingVance Palmer(1971), Letters of Vance and Nettie Palmer (1977) and edited Nettie Palmer: her private journal 'Fourteen years', poems, reviews and literary essays(1988).
This series of 4 archive boxes were donated to the Library over three instalments in the 1970s. Since that time, the four boxes have been described at the box level, with no series titles. In updating the collection with the 2004 insalment, Library staff decided to assign a series title to the four boxes. While the titles and box numbers for these group of papers remain the same, each folder has been assigned a new number. Details of the changes to this series, including the numbering, is available on request.
Series 5. Audio cassettes, c.1995-1998
A series of 9 audio cassette tapes relating to Australian poetry, including an interview with Gwen Harwood; a concert of poetry and music to celebrate Michael Thwaites' 80th Birthday; and a copy of the ABC Radio National program, Hindsight, which focused on Quadrant magazine.
A Concert of Poetry and Music, Michael Thwaites, poetry; Penelope Thwaites, piano [cassette tape], 1995 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000055) - Cassette-Box 5
1 item,Recorded and produced by Colin Lougheed, Canberra Stereo Public Radio, Curtin Place, Curtin, FM 103.1
Music from The Pathfinder [cassette tape], 1987 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000056) - Cassette-Box 5
1 item,Music Darryl Emmerson, Lyrics Estate J. Shaw Neilson
A: V - Interview on Max Harris, A + B: James McAuley play [cassette tape], c.1995-1998 (Item NLA.MS-SAV000058) - Cassette-Box 5
1 item,Container List
| Series | File/Item | Box |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-6 | 5 |
| 1 | 7-14 | 6 |
| 1 | 15-20 | 7 |
| 1 | 21-26 | 8 |
| 2 | 27-30 | 9 |
| 2 | 31-35 | 10 |
| 2 | 36-38 | 11 |
| 2 | 41-42 | 12 |
| 2 | 43-45 | 13 |
| 2 | 46-48 | 14 |
| 2 | 49-55 | 15 |
| 2 | 56-63 | 16 |
| 2 | 64-70 | 17 |
| 2 | 71-76 | 18 |
| 2 | 77-78 | 19 |
| 2 | 85-89 | 21 |
| 2 | 90-93 | 22 |
| 2 | 94-97a | 23 |
| 2 | 98-102 | 24 |
| 2 | 103-107 | 25 |
| 3 | 79-83 | 19 |
| 3 | 84-84f | 20 |
| 3 | 84g | Folio 84g |
| 3 | 84h | Folio Box 1 |
| 3 | 108-114 | 26 |
| 3 | 115-120 | 27 |
| 3 | 121-125 | 28 |
| 3 | 126-127 | 29 |
| 4 | 1-8 | 1 |
| 4 | Folio 9 | Folio Box 1 |
| 4 | 1a-9a | 2 |
| 4 | 1b-11b | 3 |
| 4 | 1c-9c | 4 |
| 5 | 128 | 29 |