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Papers of Humphrey McQueen, 1964-2021 [manuscript]
Bib ID 1889731
Format ManuscriptManuscript
Author
McQueen, Humphrey, 1942-
 
Related Online
Resources
Access Conditions Part available for research; part requires permission for research; part not available for research. Not for loan. 
Description [1964-2021] 
17.1 m. (114 boxes) + 1 fol. item. 
Summary

MS 4809 comprises personal and business correspondence, cuttings, notes, diaries, photographs, notebooks and reviews of some of Humphrey McQueen's books. There is also research material, drafts and typescripts relating to A new Britannia (1975), Social sketches of Australia, 1888-1975 (1978), The black swan of trespass (1979), Gone tomorrow (1982), Social sketches (1991), Tokyo world (1991), Japan to the rescue (1991), Tom Roberts (1996), Suspect history (1997), Temper democratic (1998) and The essence of capitalism (2002). The collection also includes papers relating to McQueen's activities as a visiting lecturer and to the 1998 exhibition and conference "Typically? Australian" held at the Brisbane City Gallery. The major correspondents include Neil Beckhaus, Ruth Blair, Clem Christesen, Peter Curtis, Jenny Darling (McQueen's agent), Tom Fitzgerald, Dorothy Green, Nick Jose, Joan Kerr, Henry Mayer, Brian Laver, Kathy Lette, Caroline Lurie, Stephen McDonald, Ben McGuire, Judy McQueen, Nicholas Pounder, Graham Rowlands and Walter Struve. The subjects of the correspondence include McQueen's work as a freelance writer, book reviewer, art critic and independent scholar, his travels, comments on politics, operas, concerts, art exhibitions, books he read and personal news (101 boxes, 1 fol. item).

The Acc10.152 instalment consists of typescripts (some annotated), correspondence, newspaper clippings and ephemera. Significant projects include Hiding to nothing (collaboration with Tony Twigg, Sarah de Jong and Euan Upston); Only joking: a play in two acts; A framework of flesh: Builders' Labourers battle for health and safety; A new Britannia; Social sketches of Australia; and, the Socialist Alliance. Significant correspondents include Bernard Smith, Judy McQueen, Walter Struve, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Christos Tsiolkas, Kathy Lette, Caroline Lurie, Jack Mundey, Lindsay Fraser, Kathy Bail, Greg Mackie and Ruth Blair (6 boxes).

The Acc16.001 instalment consists of an unpublished novel typescript on Tom Roberts, appointments diaries, and correspondence (2 boxes).

The Acc18.097 instalment consists of personal and work correspondence between Humphrey McQueen and others, drafts of papers to be published, and radio scripts (2 boxes).

The Acc 21.016 instalment consists of correspondence with Bruce McFarlane (weekly exchanges), Ted Reithmuller, Peter Lyssiotis and general correspondence including with the ABC; copies of speeches; and, a living obituary for Bruce McFarlane (3 boxes).

Biography/History

Humphrey McQueen was born in Brisbane in 1942 into a working-class family. In the early 1960s, McQueen was a member of Queensland Young Labor but he later turned to Marxism and became involved in academia. He has since made a career as an independent scholar, writing books and articles on history, the media, politics and the arts, while maintaining his involvement in socialist activism.

Notes

Manuscript reference no.: MS 4809, MS Acc10.152, MS Acc16.001, MS Acc18.097 and MS Acc21.016.

Associated materials: Records relating to the periodical Bowyang, 1979-1980 MS 6511.

Related Material Portrait of Humphrey McQueen, Manuka, 1992; Located at; National Library of Australia Pictures collection PIC P2192/195-196 LOC Album 933/C.  Humphrey McQueen interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/920.  Interview with Humphrey McQueen, Australian historian; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 2140. 
Cited In

Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; E375.

Index/Finding Aid Note Finding aid available in the Special Collections Reading Room and on the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms4809 
Subjects McQueen, Humphrey, 1942- -- Archives.  |  Authors, Australian -- 20th century -- Archives.  |  Historians -- Australia -- Archives.  |  Self-employed -- Australia -- Archives.  |  Australia -- History.  |  Australia -- Intellectual life.
Time Coverage 1964-2021 
Occupation Historians.  |  Oral history interviewers.  |  Art critics.  |  Academics.

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    MS 4809 Special Collections Reading Room - Held offsite
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    MS Acc 21.016 Special Collections Reading Room - item/s may be unavailable
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    MS Acc16.001 Special Collections Reading Room - item/s may be unavailable
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    MS Acc18.097 Special Collections Reading Room - item/s may be unavailable
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    MS Acc10.152 Special Collections Reading Room - Prior notice required
    Unprocessed instalment
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