Special collections relating to Alfred Deakin and Pattie Deakin in the National Library of Australia


National Library of Australia

Manuscript Section
National Library of Australia
Parkes, ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6262 1250
Fax: +61 2 6262 1516
Email: manuscripts@nla.gov.au
URL: http://www.nla.gov.au/ms/

Date completed: 16 October 2002

This guide was created in association with the National Archives of Australia for the Australia's Prime Ministers website.


Scope and Content

The Library holds the papers of Alfred Deakin (MS 1540), as well as a few other Deakin manuscript collections which were received from various sources. In addition there are oral history interviews, a video and other manuscript collections which contain letters or other materials relating to Deakin as well as resources relating to Pattie Deakin. The first part comprises the Deakin resources; the main collection is listed first, followed by the other sources in alphabetical order. The second part comprises the papers relating to Pattie Deakin.




Original resources relating to Alfred Deakin


Deakin, Alfred. Papers, 1804-1973.
Catalogue Record: MS 1540

The collection includes correspondence, diaries, notebooks, legal briefs, press cuttings, pamphlets, books, official documents and publications, menus, programmes, literary manuscripts, bills, receipts, photographs and tourist publications. Covering most of Deakin's life, these papers document the move towards Federation and the development of the early Commonwealth ministries.

Deakin, Alfred. Correspondence, 1907-1908 .
Catalogue Record: MS 294

Letters from Deakin to J. P. Bray, United States Consul-General, Melbourne, and Whitelaw Reid concerning the visit of the American Fleet to Australia, and letters from Bray, Reid and Bryce to Deakin on the same subject. See Alfred Deakin: A guide to his papers in the National Library of Australia, 1979.

Deakin, Alfred. [Scribbling Diary], 1915.
Catalogue Record: Mfm G 14421

Microfilm copy of diary held by the National Library at MS 1540.

Deakin, Alfred. Correspondence, .
Catalogue Record: MS 1277

A letter from Deakin to I. Dawson discussing electoral organisation (1879).

Deakin, Alfred. Letters, 1906-1923.
Catalogue Record: MS 339

This series contains Deakin's correspondence with the English writer Richard L. Jebb about parliamentary affairs in England and Australia and Jebb's work as a writer and journalist, 1906-1923. It includes a letter from Jebb to Herbert Brookes (Deakin's son-in-law) (1923). Jebb's papers were filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project on reels M2241-2253.

Deakin, Alfred. Letters, 1878-1900.
Catalogue Record: MS 2503

This series contains 13 letters by Deakin to the Victorian politician and writer Charles H. Pearson dealing with political matters.

Deakin, Alfred. Letters to Fabian Ware, 1907-1913.
Catalogue Record: MS 340

Letters to Fabian Ware relating to Deakin's contributions to the Morning Post, political affairs and the press in Australia and England.

Deakin, Alfred. Morning Post newspaper clippings and essay, 1903-1911.
Catalogue Record: MS 5220

This series contains newspaper clippings from the Morning Post including articles written by Deakin and by Archibald Marshall, and a three-page handwritten comment by Deakin, all relating to Australia.

Deakin, Alfred. Notebooks, 1905-1914 .
Catalogue Record: Mfm G 7731

Microfilm copy of originals held in private ownership.

Deakin, Alfred. Papers, Travel Letters, c1885-1887.
Catalogue Record: Mfm G 15843

This series contains two diaries dealing with Deakin's trips to America in 1885 and to England and Europe in 1887. The diaries are in the handwriting of his sister Catherine Deakin, who copied the entries from letters written to her by Deakin. Microfilm copy of items held by the National Library at MS 1540.

Deakin, Alfred. The Gospel according to Swedenborg, .
Catalogue Record: Mfm G 24615

One of Deakin's unpublished religious writings. Microfilm copy material held by the National Library at MS 1540/5/1173-1174.

Deakin, Alfred. Poem, .
Catalogue Record: MS 3388

Poem, In Memoriam, written in 1873.


Australasian Federation League of New South Wales. Records, 1871-1909.
Catalogue Record: MS 47

These papers were assembled by Edward Dowling, the secretary of the Australasian Federation League of New South Wales. The League was formed by Barton in 1893, and items in this collection include correspondence with Alfred Deakin and Sir George Reid (1893-1909); and material relating to the People's Federal Convention, Bathurst in 1896.

Barton, Sir Edmund. Papers, 1827-1940.
Catalogue Record: MS 51

This collection of papers of the Federation leader and first Prime Minister is digitised. The correspondence deals with the Federation campaign, the London conference of 1900 and Barton's prime ministership (1901-1903). Alfred Deakin was one of Barton's correspondents. The collection also holds newspaper clippings on the Federation delegates in London (1900) and Commonwealth Constitution material from 1885 to 1901.

Bavin, Sir Thomas. Papers, 1898-1942.
Catalogue Record: MS 560

Sir Thomas Bavin was the private secretary to Barton and Deakin and later became the New South Wales Premier. His papers from 1898 to 1942 include a long series of letters by both men. Bavin's papers are an important source of information about Australian politics and law between 1900 and 1920, as well as documenting his close association with the first two Prime Ministers of Australia.

Brookes, Herbert and Ivy. Papers, 1869-1970 .
Catalogue Record: MS 1924

Ivy was Deakin's daughter. The papers in this collection date from 1869 to 1970 and include correspondence, notes, diaries, minute books, photographs and cuttings covering every phase of the careers of Herbert and Ivy Brookes. Main correspondents include Alfred and Pattie Deakin, Sir Joseph Cook and William Morris Hughes.

Buchanan, Alfred. 'The Prime Ministers of Australia', 1940.
Catalogue Record: MS 3034

Alfred Buchanan's 'The Prime Ministers of Australia' is an unpublished manuscript comprising biographies of all Prime Ministers from Edmund Barton to Robert Gordon Menzies.

Campbell-Jones, Herbert. 'The Cabinet of Captains: the romance of Australia's first Federal Parliament', c1935 .
Catalogue Record: MS 8905

Campbell-Jones was the parliamentary correspondent of the Melbourne Argus. 'The Cabinet of Captains: The romance of Australia's first Federal Parliament' contains his unpublished recollections of the Barton Ministry, the establishment of Commonwealth Parliament in 1901 and the first parliamentarians, including detailed accounts of Barton, Deakin, Reid, Cook, Watson, Fisher and Hughes.

Chamberlain, Joseph. Papers, 1894-1914 .
Catalogue Record: Mfm M 867-868

Joseph Chamberlain was the British Secretary of State for the Colonies (1895-1903). His correspondence from 1894 to 1914 includes reference to Federation in Australia, imperial conferences, colonial trade and defence. Correspondents include Edmund Barton and Alfred Deakin. Filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held in the Main Library, University of Birmingham, England.

Coghlan, Sir Timothy Augustine. Papers, 1856-1926.
Catalogue Record: MS 6335

This collection contains material collected by Sir Timothy Coghlan, the New South Wales Statistician and later Agent-General in London. It includes correspondence, letterbooks, personal documents, invitations, programs, publications, newspaper cuttings, photographs and a typescript autobiography. The general correspondence (1878-1926) includes letters to or from Sir Henry Parkes, Alfred Deakin, Sir George Reid, Andrew Fisher and William Morris Hughes. A descriptive list is available. The letters received from Deakin, Fisher and others concerning private and official matters were microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Cook, Sir Joseph. Papers, 1880-1986.
Catalogue Record: MS 2212

This collection is a mixture of papers created by Joseph Cook, and material gathered by Mary Wood, his grand-daughter. It includes notebooks, diaries, passport, photographs, newspaper cuttings, speech notes and photocopied material relating to Cook's political career and his time as High Commissioner in London, with references to Lady Cook, Alfred Deakin, Andrew Fisher and many other political figures.

Crisp, Christopher. Correspondence, 1877-1916.
Catalogue Record: MS 743

Christopher Crisp was editor of the Bacchus Marsh Express from 1866 to 1915. The correspondence in this series includes 23 letters from Deakin to Crisp on Victorian and Australian political matters.

Crisp, Leslie Finlay. Papers, 1878-1984.
Catalogue Record: MS 5243

Crisp was an academic, biographer of Ben Chifley and author of numerous publications on federation and Australian politics. The bulk of the collection consists of subject files on a wide range of topics compiled mainly from newspaper cuttings and journal articles. There are files on all Australian prime ministers from Sir Edmund Barton to Malcolm Fraser.

Deakin, Catherine. Papers, 1844-1958 .
Catalogue Record: MS 4913

Catherine was Deakin's sister. The papers include 10 diaries kept from 1866 to 1920; the Deakin family tree; press cuttings about Alfred Deakin; books presented to him as school prizes; the correspondence of Catherine, Alfred, Pattie, Stella and William Deakin; and photographs, newspaper cuttings and postcards.

Drake, James G.. Papers, 1875-1913.
Catalogue Record: MS 6305

J. G. Drake was a journalist, federal politician and minister. His papers include letters received from Barton, Alfred Deakin and George Reid, and a copy of a memorandum, dated 3 July 1905, exchanged between the Prime Minister, George Reid, and the Governor-General, Lord Northcote.

Fisher, Andrew. Papers, 1855-1983 .
Catalogue Record: MS 2919

This is the main collection of Fisher papers. It includes correspondence on family and official matters (including letters of Deakin and William Morris Hughes, with references to Barton, Watson, Cook and Deakin). It also includes departmental minutes and administrative papers, press cuttings, photographs, personal documents, books and pamphlets, and reminiscences by Fisher's daughter Margaret. Much of this material documents Fisher's political career, especially his terms as Prime Minister and his work as High Commissioner in London.

Glynn, Patrick McMahon. Papers and diaries, 1918-1926 .
Catalogue Record: MS 4653, Mfm G 2542

Among the material in this series are letters, notebooks, newspaper cuttings, photographs, essays, lectures, speeches and a series of detailed diaries (1880-1927) that relate particularly to Glynn's career in South Australian and federal politics (with references to early federal politics and figures), his involvement in the Federation movement, and his long concern with the Murray Waters question. Glynn was Attorney-General in the 1909-1910 Deakin Ministry and the diaries and other papers contain references to Deakin. Mfm G 2542 includes diaries for 1918-1926.

Groom, Sir Littleton Ernest. Papers, c1880-1936 .
Catalogue Record: MS 236

Groom was a Member of the House of Representatives, 1901-1929 and 1931-1936 and a Minister in several Governments. These papers include correspondence with Barton, Alfred Deakin, Sir John Forrest, King O'Malley and Joseph Cook. Additional material related to this collection is contained in MS 1135.

Hopetoun, John, 7th Earl of. Papers, 1881-1904 .
Catalogue Record: Mfm M936-937

The Earl of Hopetoun (John Adrian Louis Hope) was Australia's first Governor-General (1901-1903). Principal correspondents include Barton and Deakin. Letters from Barton to Hopetoun include those concerned with the Conciliation and Arbitration Bill, the Pacific Islanders' Bill and the Anglo-Japanese Treaty. Filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland. Other Hopetoun papers are microfilmed at M1154-1156 and M1584.

Hume Cook, James Newton Haxton. Papers, 1897-1942 .
Catalogue Record: MS 601

Cook was a federal politician and ardent Protectionist whose correspondence with political leaders includes Deakin. His papers also contain notes on federal political parties including the Liberal Protectionist Party and the Commonwealth Liberal Party, and typescripts of literary works, including, 'Recollections and reflections: the story of my life'.

Hunt, Arthur Atlee. Papers, 1900-1930.
Catalogue Record: MS 52

Atlee Hunt was one of the first senior federal public servants. He was Edmund Barton's private secretary (1901) and became the Secretary of the Department of External Affairs (1901-1917) and Secretary to the Department of Home and Territories (1917-1921). The collection includes six letters by Deakin and 21 letters from Hunt to Deakin.

Imperial Federation League (Victoria). Letter Book, 1889-1910.
Catalogue Record: MS 49, Mfm G 25080

The League's letter book from 1889 to 1910 includes letters to Edmund Barton, Joseph Cook, Alfred Deakin (a member and President from 1904) and Sir George Reid.

James, Sir Walter Hartwell. Papers, 1897-1913.
Collection Number: MS 296

Politician, member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, Premier and Attorney General (1902-1904). This collection includes 19 letters from Deakin.

Kirwan, Sir John Waters. Papers, 1899-1935 .
Catalogue Record: MS 277

Kirwan was a Western Australian politician. His papers relate to the Federation movement, especially on the Western Australian goldfields, and early federal politics, including letters from William Morris Hughes, Andrew Fisher, Sir Joseph Cook, Alfred Deakin and Sir George Reid.

La Nauze, John Andrew. Papers, 1901-1984.
Catalogue Record: MS 5248

Biographer of Deakin. The collection includes copies of Deakin correspondence, research notes, draft manuscripts and secondary source materials relating to La Nauze's publication Alfred Deakin: a biography (1965).

Law, Andrew Bonar. Papers, 1905-1923.
Catalogue Record: Mfm M1123

Papers of Andrew Bonar Law, British politician and Prime Minister in 1922-1923, include letters of Alfred Deakin (1907), Sir George Reid (1911-1916), Andrew Fisher (1917-1919) and W.M. Hughes (1916-1922). The papers were microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by the House of Lords Record Office.

Lyne, Sir William John. Correspondence, 1900.
Catalogue Record: MS 129

Lyne was Premier of New South Wales (1899-1901) and a Federal parliamentarian and Minister. Letters and telegrams relating to Lyne's attempt to form a Federal administration, December 1900. The material includes references to Barton, Deakin and Reid.

Mahon, Hugh. Papers, 1880-1936.
Catalogue Record: MS 937

Mahon was a federal politician and a member of the Watson, Fisher and Hughes ministries. His large correspondence includes four letters from Alfred Deakin and 10 from Andrew Fisher. The correspondence generally resulted from Mahon's interest in Catholic and Irish matters; the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco (1915-1916); and Northern Territory, Papua and Norfolk Island affairs.

Mauger, Samuel. Minute-books and diaries, 1895-1936.
Catalogue Record: MS 403

Mauger's papers include the Protectionists' Association minute book from 1901, diary extracts from 1901-1936, and a testimonial from Deakin in 1910.

Maxse, L.J.. Papers, 1887-1931.
Catalogue Record: Mfm M1954

Papers of L.J. Maxse, owner and editor of the London monthly journal, National Review, include 25 letters of Alfred Deakin (1887-1910) and 5 letters of W.M. Hughes (1917-1919). The papers were microfilmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project from originals held by the West Sussex Record Office.

Miller, E. Morris. Papers, 1907-1971.
Catalogue Record: MS 87

Correspondence from Australian authors including Deakin, concerning the Imperial Federation League; and a typescript of Miller's comment on La Nauze's published article on 'Alfred Deakin and the Morning Post', in Historical Studies, May 1955.

Munro-Ferguson, Sir Ronald Craufurd. Papers, 1912-1935.
Catalogue Record: MS 696, Mfm G1228-1239

Sir Ronald Munro-Ferguson (later Lord Novar) was Governor-General (1914-1920). His papers include a letter by Deakin.

Murdoch, Sir Walter. Papers, 1899-1970.
Catalogue Record: MS 2987

Biographer of Alfred Deakin. The collection contains 31 letters from Deakin (1901-1913), mainly on literary and philosophical matters. There is also a 1936 talk on Deakin, reviews of Murdoch's biography of Deakin and a set of Deakin's speeches to Parliament (1903-1911).

Parkhill, Sir Archdale. Newspaper cuttings and correspondence, 1904-1947 .
Catalogue Record: MS 4742

Parkhill was secretary of the Liberal and Reform Association of NSW and later a federal politician. His papers include a letter from Deakin in 1916.

Piesse, Edmund Leolin. Papers, 1855-1946.
Catalogue Record: MS 882

Piesse was a lawyer and public servant. His papers include correspondence, memoranda and notes (1918-1923), mainly relating to Piesse's work in the Defence Department and the Prime Minister's Department, including material on the White Australian policy, New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Australia's relations with Japan. Correspondents include Alfred Deakin, Joseph Cook and William Morris Hughes.

Ross, Andrew. Papers, 1880-1904.
Catalogue Record: MS 266

Includes notes of speeches and meetings in connection with the movement for Federation in NSW, 1880-1904, with reference to Deakin.

Rivett, Stella. Papers, 1923-1935.
Catalogue Record: MS 9057

Stella Rivett, the wife of Sir David Rivett, was a daughter of Deakin. Her papers include letters from Catherine Deakin.

Symon, Sir Josiah Henry. Papers, 1863-1934 .
Catalogue Record: MS 1736

Sir Josiah Symon was a Federal Convention delegate, Senator and Federal Attorney-General (1904-1905). The papers in this collection cover every phase of Symon's life, including his involvement in Federation, federal conventions and the Senate, and include correspondence with Edmund Barton, Joseph Cook, Alfred Deakin and George Reid.

Tennyson, Hallam, 2nd Baron. Papers, 1887-1924.
Catalogue Record: MS 479

Lord Tennyson was Governor of South Australia and Australia's second Governor-General (1903-1904). This collection contains 24 letters of Deakin and seven other letters containing references to Deakin.

Watson, John Christian. Papers, 1900-1941.
Catalogue Record: MS 451

Chris Watson was the first leader of the Federal Labor Party and Prime Minister in 1904. His papers include correspondence with Barton, Deakin and Reid.


Papers relating to Pattie Deakin


Deakin, Catherine Sarah. Papers, 1844-1958.
Catalogue Record: MS 4913

The papers kept by Pattie Deakin's sister-in-law, Catherine, include 10 diaries kept between 1866 and 1920; the Deakin family tree; correspondence of Catherine, Alfred, Pattie, Stella and William Deakin; and photographs, newspaper cuttings, and postcards. In particular, see folders nos 1-7; the diaries in folders nos 9-19; and folder 23 which contains letters from Pattie Deakin to her children.

Brookes, Herbert and Ivy. Papers, 1869-1970 .
Catalogue Record: MS 1924

Ivy was Deakin's daughter. The papers in this collection date from 1869 to 1970 and include correspondence, notes, diaries, minute books, photographs and cuttings covering every phase of the careers of Herbert and Ivy Brookes. Main correspondents include Alfred and Pattie Deakin, Sir Joseph Cook and William Morris Hughes.

Rapke, Julia. Papers on various Australian women .
Catalogue Record: MS 842

The material in this series includes a manuscript and drafts of biographical papers on a number of Australian women, including the Deakin daughters Ivy Brookes and Vera White, as well as Enid Lyons.

Tennyson, Hallam, 2nd Baron. Papers, 1887-1924.
Catalogue Record: MS 479

Lord Tennyson was Australia's second Governor-General (1903-1904). This collection contains several letters from Pattie Deakin.

White, Vera. Letters from Stella, Catherine and Pattie Deakin, 1909-1914 .
Catalogue Record: MS 9056

Vera White, the wife of Sir Thomas White, was one of Pattie Deakin's daughters. The collection also includes two tape reels containing recording of a talk about the Deakin Family made in the 1960s.