Guide to the Papers of David Tothill, 1987-2009

 

Collection context

Summary

Collection number:
MS 9261, MS Acc05.043, MS Acc12.003, MS Acc24.001
Creator:
David Tothill
Extent:
(10 boxes +4 folders)
Language:
English and English
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of David Tothill, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Availability:
Available
Access conditions:
Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan.

Background

Content Summary:

MS 9261 comprises personal files created by David Tothill during his tenure as South African Ambassador to Australia, spanning the years 1988 to 1992. The files include general correspondence with the Australian public and various government departments, correspondence regarding Tothill's official visits and engagements, and an extensive collection of letters from the public commenting on his media interviews, speeches and column 'South African Opinion' in the Weekend Australian. There are also numerous requests for the three compilation volumes of his column, David Tothill's South African Opinion I (1990), South African Opinion II (1991) and South African Opinion III (1992). The files feature correspondence with a number of prominent Australian and New Zealand political and public figures, addressing topics such as media coverage of South Africa, bilateral relations, and political reform. Notable correspondents include Sir Charles Court, Ian Sinclair, Kim E. Beazley, Michael Baume, Ross Meurant, Ric Smith, Michael Cobb, Richard Carleton, and Gareth Evans. In addition to correspondence, it contains several publications, newspaper clippings, and a Paul Harris Award presented to David Tothill in 1998, further underscoring his contributions to public discourse and diplomacy.

MS Acc05.043 instalment comprises the letters of Allan Martin, 1994-2001, the article titled "South African diplomats in Australia 1949-1961" and issues of Historia (Nov. 2004), and Diplomacy and statecraft (Mar. 2004).

MS Acc12.003 instalment comprises articles by Tothill, published in various journals (1987-2007), together with two booklets written by Tothill, 'A visit to South West Africa' (2008) and 'White South Africa's early external relations (2009).

MS Acc24.001 instalment comprises Dr David Tothill's Paul Harris Award in original folder.

Provenance:

Dr David Tothill donated the bulk of the collection to the Library in August 1998. Further additions were made by Tothill in December 1999, July 2000 and January 2002.

Access and use

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-vn2043081).
Conditions Governing Use:
Conditions for copying and publishing of this collection may apply, please refer to the collection's catalogue record for further information (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2043081).
Preferred citation:
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of David Tothill, National Library of Australia, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.
Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: