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Papers of Peter Ryan, 1927-2015 (bulk 1962-1996) [manuscript]
Bib ID 3084331
Format ManuscriptManuscript
Author
Ryan, Peter, 1923-2015
 
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Access Conditions Available for research. Not for loan. 
Description [1927-2015] 
4.8 m. (20 boxes) + 4 fol. boxes. 
Summary

MS 9897 comprise correspondence during Ryan's time as Director of Melbourne University Press (1962-1988), newspaper cuttings, talks, photographs, articles, research notes, reviews, handwritten notes, legal documentation, patrol reports and conference papers. There are papers on Alfred Conlon, head of the Directorate of Research and Civil Affairs during World War II, and Ryan's article on Conlon for the Australian Dictionary of Biography, as well as copies of early Papua New Guinea patrol reports. The largest series relates to Manning Clark and consists of extensive newspaper cuttings, correspondence, drafts of articles and notes covering the controversy generated by Ryan's criticisms of Clark and his History in 1993; and claims by the Brisbane Courier Mail in 1996 that Clark received an Order of Lenin medal during the Cold War.

Correspondents include Manning Clark, Sir Zelman Cowen, Geoffrey Blainey, L. F. (Fin) Crisp, Beatrice Davis, Geoffrey Dutton, Tom Fitzgerald, Bill Gammage, Alec Hope, Sir Paul Hasluck, Ken Inglis, John La Nauze, Alan Marshall, Susan Ryan, Blanche D'Alpuget, B. A. Santamaria, Kenneth Slessor, Gavin Souter, Patrick White, William Macmahon Ball, Hilary McPhee, Stuart Macintyre, Hugh Stretton and Maslyn Williams (13 boxes).

The MS Acc12.099 instalment comprises personal and official correspondence relating to Ryan's published works (books, essays, articles) and official correspondence associated with Melbourne University Press. Also included are a small number of articles relating Ryan's criticisms of Manning Clark, print media relating to World War 1 and to Diggers in New Guinea during World War 2. Other papers include academic papers, copies of draft manuscripts and a full print run of "Tomorrow" magazine, Vol 1., 1946, Edited by Jack Bellow. (1 box, 1 follio box)

The MS Acc22.166 instalment comprises correspondence, newspaper cuttings, certificates, obituaties, speeches, personal military records and honours, photographs, media, articles, research notes, reviews, employment documents, records from the Australian Commonwealth Repatriation Department, manuscripts, permits, requirements and permissions and book launch publicity. Some files are quite early personal papers from the 1920’s through to the early 1940’s. Additional correspondence with dates ranging from the 1940’s to a time close to Peter Ryan’s death in 2015. The instalment includes the complete files relating to Peter Ryan’s best-known book ‘Fear Drive My Feet.’ In particular, the original copies of letters written during WWII to his mother became reference points in the writing of his book. The instalment has the complete files detailed about allowing Sgt Major Kari to be admitted to Australia from New Guinea in 1959. It also includes the files relating to a series of articles on The Pacific War commissioned by the National Times. Peter Ryan’s Quadrant Columns form a complete collection of his newspaper works. (6 boxes)

The MS Acc23.006 instalment comprises five bound Guard books containing newspaper articles written by or about Peter Ryan, covering the years 1944 - 2006. The large scrapbooks include published articles pasted in and a rough index guide. The large scrapbooks also includes a few of loose newspapers and photocopies of articles. (3 folio boxes)

Biography/History

Soldier, journalist, author and long-serving Director of Melbourne University Press (1962-1988).

Notes

Manuscript reference no.: MS 9897, MS Acc12.099, MS Acc22.166, MS Acc23.006.

Index/Finding Aid Note Finding aid available online. 
Subjects Ryan, Peter, 1923-2015 -- Archives.  |  Clark, Manning, 1915-1991.  |  Conlon, Alfred Austin Joseph, 1908-1961.  |  Melbourne University Press.  |  Publishers and publishing -- Australia -- Archives.  |  Journalists -- Australia -- Archives.  |  World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, Australian.  |  World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- New Guinea.  |  World War, 1939-1945 -- Jungle warfare.
Time Coverage 1927-2015 
Occupation Publishers.  |  Journalists.
Terms of Use Copying of Peter Ryan's copyright material permitted for research purposes. 

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