You are here
Otley Beyer collection (Philippines)
In 1972 the National Library acquired the library of Professor H. Otley Beyer (1883-1966), the leading Philippines ethnologist of his day. The collection is rich in Philippines and other Asian imprints, and also includes a number of significant titles on American colonial and foreign policies.
A substantial part of the large manuscript component of the collection, the two hundred typed volumes of ethnographic information compiled by Beyer and other informants between 1906 and 1918 which was his major life achievement has been published by the Library in microfiche form. The Library holds the carbon copies of these volumes : the originals were destroyed during the street fighting in Manila in 1945 as the Japanese occupiers of the Philippines retreated. The collection is also strong in photographs of Philippines tribal life. A collection of correspondence between Beyer and others working in his field is also held.
Some rare items of Filipiana are present, including works by Rizal, Isabelo de los Reyes, Pordo de Tavera and Pedro Alejandrino Paterno.
An article by Andrew Gosling profiling the work and influence of Henry Otley Beyer appears in the July 1997 issue of National Library of Australia News.
