Papers of Kenneth Binns, 1909-1992 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 3112145
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Binns, Kenneth, 1882-1969
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1909-1992]
- 1.05 m. (4 boxes) + 1 fol. box.
- Summary:
-
MS 9822 comprises miscellaneous papers relating to the work of Binns in the Commonwealth National Library and his activities in his retirement. They include letters, notes, official documents, invitations, newspaper cuttings, photographs and publications. In addition, there are papers of Joan Binns relating to the life of her father, in particular letters of Andrew Osborn and drafts of an unpublished biography of Kenneth Binns by Osborn (4 boxes).
The Acc11.010 instalment comprises the CBE original citation and medal conferred on Binns in 1964. The instalment also contains related letters from Government House (1 fol. box).
- Biography/History:
-
Librarian. Kenneth Binns was born at Dunfermline, Scotland in 1882. His family migrated to Australia in 1890 and Binns was educated at Cleveland Street Public School and Sydney Grammar School. In 1900 he joined the staff of the Fisher Library at the University of Sydney. In 1911 he joined the staff of the Commonwealth Parliament Library in Melbourne as a cataloguer. In 1919 he became head of the Australian section and took an active role in acquisition work, including the purchase of the Endeavour journal of James Cook in 1923. As assistant librarian he organised the transfer of the Library to Canberra in 1926-1927. He succeeded Arthur Wadsworth as Commonwealth Parliamentary Librarian in 1928.
During his tenure he was handicapped by financial and wartime restrictions, but he acquired some major collections, such as the Matthews Collection and the first instalment of the Ferguson Collection, established library services in Canberra and the territories, accepted responsibility for the archives of the Commonwealth Government, and established a liaison office in London. He retired in 1947. Binns did much to promote the cultural and educational life of Canberra. He was a member of the National Film Board from 1945-1948, the Commonwealth Literary Fund advisory committee from 1939-1953 and the Commonwealth Literature Censorship Board, 1937-1964. He was awarded the CBE in 1964. Binns died in Canberra in 1969.
- Notes:
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 9822, MS Acc11.010.
- Related Material:
- Kenneth Binns interviewed by Hazel de Berg for the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/212-214.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid available in the Special Collections Reading Room and online at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms9822
- Subject:
-
- Binns, Kenneth, 1882-1969 -- Archives
- Binns, Joan, 1916-2003 -- Archives
- Osborn, Andrew D. (Andrew Delbridge), 1902-1997 -- Correspondence
- Commonwealth National Library (Australia) -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Commonwealth Parliament Library (Australia) -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Librarians -- Australia -- Archives
- National librarians -- Australia -- Archives
- Public officers -- Australia -- Archives
- National libraries -- Australia
- Time Coverage:
- 1909-1992
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Binns, Joan, 1916-2003
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- 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
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
Request this item
Request this item to view in the Library’s reading room.
Feedback
Similar items
- Papers of Graeme Powell, 1966-1974
- Factors in the administration and use of Australian departmental archives 1962 [manuscript] / Keith Penny
- A avaliacao dos documentos publicos modernos / traducao de Leda Boechat Rodrigues
- Modern archives : principles and techniques / T.R. Schellenberg
- Guide to the material in the National Archives / the National Archives