Papers of Michael Terry, 1884-1997 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 1130492
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Terry, Michael, 1899-1981
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1884-1997]
- 3.63 m. (15 boxes) + 3 fol. boxes.
- Summary:
-
MS 611 comprises a small number of letters, invitations and documents; radio broadcast scripts written by Michael Terry, dealing with inland Australia and Australian efforts in the Second World War; 18 books of press cuttings, 1921-1977, providing a comprehensive coverage of articles by and about Terry; published and unpublished maps, and accounts of other expeditions; and, books written or owned by Terry (15 boxes, 3 fol. boxes).
- Biography/History:
-
Inland explorer, surveyor, journalist, broadcaster and author. Michael Terry was born at Tyneside, County Durham in 1899. During the First World War, he served for the Royal Naval Air Service in Russia and, in 1919, was invalided to Western Australia. He worked variously as a driver, mechanic and station hand. In New South Wales he started the first regular truck run, from the Clarence River to New England. Between 1923 and 1938, Terry led 14 expeditions (using both vehicular and camel transport) to central, northern and Western Australia mainly for mining companies seeking minerals. His 1923 and 1925 expeditions became well-known in Australia and England, and he was made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for his achievements.
During the Second World War, he was engaged by the New South Wales Department of Main Roads to write an account of its war role, published as Bulldozer in 1945. Later he worked to gather travel promotion stories and photographs on Pacific islands for Qantas and developed an interest in Australian prehistory. Terry documented his travels in six expedition books and contributed many articles to magazines and newspapers. His autobiography was completed posthumously and published in 1987 under the title, The last explorer: the autobiography of Michael Terry, FRGS, FRGSA. Terry died in Sydney in 1981.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 611.
- Some photocopies.
- Associated materials: Papers of Charlotte Barnard, 1985-1989 MS 8414.
- Related Material:
-
- Michael Terry collection of negatives; Located at; National Library of Australia Pictures collection PIC/8847.
- Michael Terry interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/47.
- Microfilm copies of other papers of Michael Terry are available through the National Library of Australia Main Reading Room – Newspapers and Family History at mfm G 17249-17253 and mfm G 20724-20725.
- Across Australia (from Winton Qld. to Broome, W.A.): an account of a trip by car in 1923-4; Located at; Library, University of Queensland.
- Michael Terry records, 1923-1938; Located at; South Australian Museum Archives AA333.
- The Michael Terry collection; Located at; Royal Geographical Society.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid (39 p.) available in the Special Collections Reading Room.
- Subject:
-
- Terry, Michael, 1899-1981 -- Archives
- Lasseter, Harold Bell, -1931
- Explorers -- Australia -- Archives
- Surveyors -- Australia -- Archives
- Broadcasters -- Australia -- Archives
- Authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives
- Automobiles -- Australia -- History
- Prospecting -- Australia
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Australia
- Aboriginal Australians
- Radio scripts -- Australia
- Australia -- Discovery and exploration
- Australia, Central -- Description and travel
- Time Coverage:
- 1884-1997
- Occupation:
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
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- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
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