Special collections relating to Joseph Lyons 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: 22 November 2002

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


Scope and Content

In addition to the Lyons Papers (MS 4851), the Library holds oral history interviews, a video, and other manuscript collections (including microfilm copies), which contain letters or other materials relating to Lyons.




Joseph Lyons - Manuscripts


Anstey, Frank. Papers, 1930-1939.
Catalogue Record: MS 6245

Frank Anstey was MHR for Bourke (ALP) and Minister for Health and Repatriation in the Scullin Government, 1929-1931. The papers include two items from Anstey's memoirs of the Scullin government (1931): two pages entitled 'The Starvation Scheme' referring to the plan submitted to the Premiers' Conference by a Committee of Experts (6 February 1931); four pages entitled 'Great Conference of Commonwealth and States' (6 February 1931), purporting to be a summary of the proceedings of the conference.

Australian Labor Party. Records, 1906-1990.
Catalogue Record: MS 6852

These ALP records include Caucus minutes (1906-89) (covering Lyons' term as an ALP Federal parliamentarian).

Bagot, Edward Daniel Alexander. Papers, 1787-1967 (bulk 1862-1967).
Catalogue Record: MS 2603

Alec Bagot was a South Australian politician and one of the founders of the Citizens' League of South Australia (1930). The collection includes letters from politicians including J. Scullin, J. A. Lyons and N. Makin concerning the Citizens' League of SA. There are also pamphlets, letters, newsclippings and articles on Bagot's years in politics.

Baldwin, Stanley. Papers, 1923-1937.
Catalogue Record: Mfm M2497

Stanley Baldwin was British Prime Minister in 1923-1924, 1924-1929 and 1935-1937. These records comprise microfilm copies of selections of Baldwin's papers relating to Australia and New Zealand. They include correspondence on Australian defence; the economic mission to Australia (1927-1929); letters from Australian Prime Ministers (including Lyons) about dominion affairs (1925-1937); letters about trade (1930-1935); and general correspondence files (1923-1937).


Ball, William Macmahon. Papers, 1921-1985.
Catalogue Record: MS 7851

Academic and diplomat. The correspondence includes a letter from Lyons acknowledging a submission from Ball and other academics on foreign policy issues (1937).

Bell, Sir George. Biography, n.d..
Catalogue Record: MS 3861

George Bell (1872-1944) was a Member of the United Australia Party and there are references to this period in this typescript biography by his son W. G. Bell. The item also includes photographs.

Boyce, Sir Leslie. Papers, 1926-1968.
Catalogue Record: MS 8111

Born in Australia, Sir Leslie Boyce was a British politician, businessman and Lord Mayor of London (1951-1952). These papers include letters, speeches, and notes on the 1937 Imperial Conference attended by Lyons.


Bradfield, J.J.C. Papers, 1908-1943.
Catalogue Record: MS 4712

Engineer. The personal documents (series 9) include correspondence with Lyons about Commonwealth Government works (1935).

Brigden, J. B. Papers, 1923-1948.
Catalogue Record: MS 730

James Brigden was an economist and these papers relate to economic conditions in Australia (1928-39), the National Insurance Commission (1939) and other topics relevant to Lyons' time as Prime Minister. Also included are radio talks, correspondence, Parliamentary reports, cuttings and published works.

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

Businessman and political activist. Correspondence with many political figures, including Alfred Deakin (father of Ivy Brookes), W.M. Hughes, S.M. Bruce, J.A. Lyons and R.G. Menzies.

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.

Casey Family. Papers, 1820-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 6150

The papers include cutting books of R.G. Casey, later Lord Casey, including the period when he was a Minister in the Lyons Government (1933-1939).

Commonwealth National Library (Australia). Records, 1926-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 350

These papers include speeches delivered at the laying of the foundation stone of the National Library building in Canberra on 23 November 1934 and a letter to Joseph Lyons dated 11 October 1935 from the English poet John Masefield.

Copland, Douglas B. Papers, 1920-1970.
Catalogue Record: MS 3800

Economist, university administrator and diplomat. The collection includes diaries, research notes, cuttings, correspondence, and material on the economic and political affairs in Australia (1920-1965).

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. The Bruce file is dated 1924-1961.

Crutchley, E.T. Papers, 1928-1940.
Catalogue Record: Mfm M1829-1830

Crutchley was British Government Representative for Migration in Australia (1928-1931) and Representative in Australia of H.M. Government in the United Kingdom (1932-1935). His diaries (1928-1940) refer to many political events in Australia and Britain, such as federal elections, the 1931 Premiers' Plan, and the abdication of King Edward VIII, and to many individuals, including S.M. Bruce, J.H. Scullin, J.A. Lyons, Enid Lyons, Earle Page and R.G. Menzies.

Denning, Warren. Papers, 1953-1965.
Catalogue Record: MS 5129

Warren Denning was a journalist and author. The collection includes drafts of some of his writing on the ALP and biographical subjects, including Sir Earle Page, J. H. Scullin, J. A. Lyons, Lord Bruce and Sir Robert Menzies.

Douglas, R. Irvine. Papers, 1905-1973.
Catalogue Record: MS 3797

Irvine Douglas was a journalist. His collection includes English news cuttings on Lyons.

Dumas, Sir Lloyd. Papers, 1929-1957.
Catalogue Record: MS 4849

Lloyd Dumas was a journalist, managing editor (1929-1938) and managing director (1938-1961) of the Adelaide Advertiser. His papers include correspondence and news cuttings dealing with political subjects (1929-1948), including correspondence with Bruce, Lyons and Chifley.

Edwards, Cecil. Papers, 1962-1967.
Catalogue Record: MS 4637

The collection includes approximately 150 letters between Stanley Melbourne Bruce and Cecil Edwards, his biographer, including reference to the UAP and Joseph Lyons.

Eggleston, Sir Frederic. Papers, 1911-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 423

Politician, diplomat and scholar. Correspondence includes some papers written when Eggleston was Chairman of the Commonwealth Grants Commission (1933-1941).

Ellis, Ulrich Ruegg. Papers, 1900-1972.
Catalogue Record: MS 1006

Ulrich Ellis was political secretary to the federal Country Party Leader Earle Page (1928-1936) and an author. The papers include Ellis's writings and records of his career as a journalist in Canberra (1926-1939) and as political secretary, with reference to political figures including Lyons. Also included are notes on Ellis's book, A History of the Australian Country Party, 1963. Lyons, Menzies and Bruce are mentioned as well as the formation of the UAP. A descriptive list is available. Other Ellis Papers are available at MS 748 and MS 821.

Fricke, Graham L. Papers relating to Profiles of power : the prime ministers of Australia, [198-]-1990.
Catalogue Record: MS 8248

Judge, Queen's Counsel, lecturer in law and author. The collection comprises notes, manuscript, typescript drafts and the final version (with editorial alterations and directions to the printer) of Profiles of power : the prime ministers of Australia. Ferntree Gully, Vic.: Houghton Mifflin, 1990.

Giblin, L.F. Papers, 1885-1965.
Catalogue Record: MS 366

Economist, statistician, and Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne (1929-1940). The papers include correspondence with J.A. Lyons.

Gowrie, Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven, Earl of,. Papers, 1835-1987.
Catalogue Record: MS 2852

Lord Gowrie (Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven) had extensive experience as a vice-regal representative, as Governor of SA (1928-1934), Governor of NSW (1935), and succeeding Sir Isaac Isaacs as Governor-General from January 1936 to September 1944. His papers include photographs, notebooks, memoirs and correspondence. Correspondents including Joseph and Enid Lyons.

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 federal political figures including 22 letters to or from Lyons, and newspaper cuttings (1888-1936) on federal politics including articles on Joseph Lyons. A detailed descriptive list and correspondence card index is available. Additional material related to this collection is contained in MS 1135 and MS 1452.

Gullett, Sir Henry. Papers, 1887-1961.
Catalogue Record: MS 3078

Henry Gullett was a federal Member of Parliament, UAP member and a member of the Lyons Cabinet. These papers include photocopies of correspondence with Lyons. Additional material relating to this collection is at MS 5347.

Guy, James Allan. Papers, 1931-1965.
Catalogue Record: MS 6405

(James) Allan Guy was a Tasmanian politician, parliamentary colleague and a friend of Joseph and Enid Lyons. This collection includes correspondence and notes concerning his political career as Lyons' deputy and as federal MP (1931-1965).

Hart, Philip R. Papers relating to Lyons, 1964-1974.
Catalogue Record: MS 9410

Philip Hart assembled these papers while preparing his doctoral thesis 'J A Lyons: a political biography' in 1968. They include correspondence (1964-1974), news cuttings, a photograph and the program of an ABC broadcast on Lyons. Correspondents include Dame Enid Lyons, J. Allan Guy, F. C. Green, E. J. Holloway, S. Ricketson, Ulrich Ellis, Sir Peter Heydon and Norman Makin.

Hawker, Charles Allen Seymour. Papers, 1904-1938.
Catalogue Record: MS 4848

Charles Hawker was a South Australian pastoralist, MHR for Wakefield, UAP member and a member of the Lyons Cabinet. The papers consist of correspondence, speeches, parliamentary papers, cuttings, and photographs. They cover such subjects as Aborigines, defence, and the Ottawa Agreements. Correspondents include Lyons.

Hughes, William Morris. Papers, 1875-c.1979.
Catalogue Record: MS 1538

William Morris ('Billy') Hughes, a former Prime Minister, became a United Australia Party member and later a Lyons Minister. His papers, mainly dating 1915-1952, include 8 letters to or from Lyons as well as diaries and notebooks, newspaper cuttings, photographs, family and political papers.

Hughes, Colin Anfield. Papers, 1966.
Catalogue Record: MS 5963

These are research papers compiled by Professor Colin Hughes as adviser and coordinator of the Australian Broadcasting Commission television series 'Mr Prime Minister' (1966). Papers relate to Sir Robert Menzies, W. M. Hughes, J. Curtin, J. A. Lyons and H. Holt.

Huntingfield, William Vanneck, 5th Baron. Papers, 1933-1940.
Catalogue Record: Mfm M2820-2824

Governor of Victoria, 1934-1939 and Acting Governor-General, 1938. Correspondence, speeches, cuttings, photograph albums, including correspondence with Lyons (1938-1939).

Isaacs, Sir Isaac. Papers, 1875-1966.
Catalogue Record: MS 2755

Sir Isaac Isaacs was a Federation Convention delegate, the Federal Attorney-General (1905-1906), a High Court judge and then Chief Justice (1930), and the Governor-General (1931-1936) during Lyons' prime ministership. This collection includes two letters by Lyons.

Jensen, John, Sir. Papers, 1955-1963.
Catalogue Record: MS 935

This collection includes papers by senior public servant Sir Frederick Shedden on the 1930s Depression.

Kingsmill, Sir Walter. Papers, 1926-1927.
Catalogue Record: MS 745

Walter Kingsmill, a Senator for WA, was President of the Senate (1929-1932). The papers, found among records of the Public Accounts Committee, include his correspondence with Lyons.

Latham, Sir John. Papers, 1868-1964.
Catalogue Record: MS 1009

Latham was Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for External Affairs, Minister for Industry, Chief Justice of the High Court and founder, with Lyons, of the UAP (1931). The collection contains a large quantity of relevant material on Lyons including the following series: Series 1 General correspondence, 1896-1963 Series 46 Leader of the Opposition, 1929-1931 Series 49 Formation of United Australia Party Series 50 1931 elections Series 51 United Australia Party, 1931-1934 Series 52 Deputy Prime Minister, 1932-1934 Series 53 Attorney-General, 1932-1934 Series 54 Minister for External Affairs, 1932-1934 Series 55 Minister for Industry, 1932-1934 Series 56 1932 Disarmament Conference Series 57 1932 Imperial Economic Conference Series 58 1934 Australian Eastern Mission Series 59 1934 Elections.

Lawson, J.N. Papers, 1938-1940.
Catalogue Record: MS 1986

John Norman Lawson was a United Australia Party parliamentarian and Minister in the Lyons Government. This collection includes correspondence on his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary and resignation from the office of Minister for Trade and Customs (1938-1940); and photographs of Lawson and colleagues.

Mackaness, George. Correspondence and manuscripts, 1918-1962.
Catalogue Record: MS 534

George Mackaness was an author and historian. The collection comprises correspondence with Australian writers and many hundreds of manuscripts by writers, including for the Bulletin. Writers and correspondents include J. A. Lyons and J. H. Scullin.

Marr, Sir Charles William Clanan. Papers, 1912-1959.
Catalogue Record: MS 3874

Charles Marr was a United Australia Party parliamentarian and member of Lyons' Cabinet, holding the portfolios of health, repatriation and territories (1932-1934). The collection includes correspondence, personal documents and texts of speeches (covers 1925, 1929, 1931, 1935-1943). It also contains news cuttings (including politics and elections) and typescript notes.

Melbourne, A. C. V. Papers, 1930-1940.
Catalogue Record: Mfm G 14442-14446

Alexander Clifford Vernon Melbourne (1888-1943) was an historian. This collection includes correspondence with Lyons and Menzies on his visits to China and Japan, on Australian policy in the East, and eastern trade (1931-1936). The original papers are held at University of Melbourne, Baillieu Library, Ba MIC/o 4112. There is a list of contents for all reels at the beginning of each reel.

Menzies, Sir Robert. Papers, 1905-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 4936

Robert Gordon (later Sir Robert) Menzies was a United Australia Party member; from 1934 he was MHR for Kooyong and Lyons' Attorney-General and Minister for Industry; later, he was Deputy leader and Prime Minister after Lyons' death. His extensive collection includes correspondence sorted chronologically by name (including 2 letters by Lyons) (1935-1978), cuttings and speeches (1917-1976), diaries (1935-1963), and Liberal Party correspondence (1944-1974.


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

Edmund Morris Miller was an academic and literary historian. His papers include correspondence from Australian authors and with J. A. Lyons (1934-1935) concerning honours for Australian writers, and a commentary on this by Miller.

Murdoch, Sir Keith. Papers, 1915-1952.
Catalogue Record: MS 2823

Journalist and newspaper executive. The papers include correspondence with Lyons, 1934-1938.

Needham, K. Lilias. Papers, 1922-1972.
Catalogue Record: MS 6768, MS 4847

Lilias Needham was Charles Hawker's sister and his biographer. Charles Hawker was a United Australia Party parliamentarian and a member of Lyons Cabinet. These collections include material collected for her biography, published as Charles Hawker: Soldier - Pastoralist - Statesman (Adelaide, 1969).

O'Malley, King. Papers, 1888-1955.
Catalogue Record: MS 460

Member of House of Representatives 1901-1917 and Minister for Home Affairs in the second Fisher (Labour) Ministry (1910-1913) and under W.M. Hughes (1915-1916). The O'Malley Papers include correspondence with numerous prime ministers including five letters by and six letters to Lyons.

Page, Sir Earle. Papers, 1908-1961.
Catalogue Record: MS 1633

Dr (later Sir) Earle Page founded and led the Country Party, and became Prime Minister (briefly) upon Lyons' death. His papers include subject files of correspondence, cables, cuttings, personal documents, reports, and speeches. They cover such topics as primary industry, taxation and banking, foreign affairs, national insurance, industrial relations, social services, immigration, trade, new state movements, the formation of the Bruce-Page government, and the Country Party. The correspondence includes 12 letters from Lyons and letters from Menzies.

Parkhill, Sir Archdale. Papers, 1904-1947.
Catalogue Record: MS 4742

Sir Archdale Parkhill was secretary of the Liberal and Reform Association of NSW and later a federal politician. He held several portfolios in the Lyons government, including Minister of Defence (1934-1937). His papers include correspondence (1904-1935), speeches, news cuttings (1914-1947), and several group photographs of the Lyons Ministry (cl932-1934).

Pearce, Sir George Foster. Papers, 1909-1952.
Catalogue Record: MS 213, MS 1827, MS 1927

George (later Sir George) Pearce was a WA Senator and Minister of Defence (1932-1934) and Minister for External Affairs (1934-1937) in the Lyons Government. MS 1827 includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, and press cuttings relating to Australia's defence and politics 1929-1937; correspondence about Pearce's political career in the late 1920s and 1930s, and personal papers. MS 1927, Series 3 concerns the United Australia Party and includes correspondence with Lyons.

Perkins, John Arthur. Papers, 1891-1954.
Catalogue Record: MS 936

John Perkins was a member of Lyons' Cabinet in 1932-1934 and 1937-1939. The collection includes diaries (1892-1950) and other references to his political career.

Rischbieth, Bessie. Papers, 1903-1967.
Catalogue Record: MS 2004

Feminist, President Australian Federation of Women Voters (1921-1942). The papers include extensive correspondence, written on behalf of various women's organizations, with Lyons and also with Enid Lyons.

Stewart, Sir Frederick Harold. Papers, 1925-1958.
Catalogue Record: MS 7732

Sir Frederick Harold Stewart was a member of Lyons' Cabinet. The collection includes letters, photographs and diaries documenting his political career.

Storey, H. M. Papers, 1929-1987.
Catalogue Record: MS 8539

Henry Mackintosh Storey's papers include a draft manuscript book on Australian politics in the 1930s, and Storey's memoirs an United Australia Party activist.

Theodore, Edward Granville. Papers, 1906-1972.
Catalogue Record: MS 7222

Edward Granville Theodore was Treasurer in Scullin's government. His papers include 19 volumes of news cuttings with references to Theodore, and letters, mainly on the Mungana affair and his defeat at the 1931 elections.

White, Sir Thomas Walter. Papers, 1912-1992.
Catalogue Record: MS 9148

Sir Thomas Walter White was a member of Lyons' Cabinet (Minister for Trade and Customs, 1933-1938). The collection includes photographs, reports, speeches, cuttings, official and personal correspondence relating to White's role as Minister (and later roles).

 

Dame Enid Lyons - Manuscripts


Abbott, C. L. A. and Hilda. Papers, 1906-1971.
Catalogue Record: MS 4744

Charles Lydiard Aubrey Abbott held the Federal seat of Gwydir, 1925-1929 and 1931-1937. He was the Northern Territory Administrator, 1937-1946. Hilda Abbott was an author and broadcaster. The bulk of the papers comprise Hilda Abbott's drafts of books, articles, broadcasts, and correspondence, including letters from Enid Lyons.

Daly, Fred. Papers, 1938-1995.
Catalogue Record: MS 9300

ALP politician and Minister. Files of cuttings, notes and letters on political personalities, including a file on Enid Lyons.

Hards, Mary Cameron. Papers, 1909-1983.
Catalogue Record: MS 7986

Mary Cameron Hards was the granddaughter of Sir James Grady, Governor of Tasmania (1924-1930) and Governor of the Falkland Islands (1931-1933?). This collection includes letters to Mrs Ken Cameron from Enid Lyons.

Harrison, Sir Eric John. Papers, 1931-1964.
Catalogue Record: MS 5548

Sir Eric John Harrison was a federal politician. His papers include correspondence with Enid Lyons (1937) and R. G. Menzies.

Hart, Philip R. Papers relating to J. A. Lyons, 1964-1974.
Catalogue Record: MS 9410

Philip Hart assembled these papers while preparing his doctoral thesis 'J A Lyons: a political biography' in 1968. They include correspondence (1964-1974), news cuttings, a photograph and the program of an ABC broadcast on Lyons. It includes correspondence with Dame Enid Lyons.

Hughes, William Morris. Papers, 1875-c.1979.
Catalogue Record: MS 1538

William Morris ('Billy') Hughes, a former PM, became a UAP member and later a Lyons Minister. His papers, mainly dating 1915-1952, include 8 letters to or from Enid Lyons.

Latham, Sir John. Papers, 1868-1964.
Catalogue Record: MS 1009

Latham was Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney-General, Minister for External Affairs, Minister for Industry, Chief Justice of the High Court and founder, with Lyons, of the UAP (1931). The collection includes 5 letters of Enid Lyons.

Lyons, Dame Enid Muriel. Papers, 1931-1974.
Catalogue Record: MS 4852

The collection consists mainly of correspondence, but also photographs, news cuttings, speeches, broadcasts, manuscripts of her books So we take comfort, The old haggis and Among the carrion crows, invitations and programs. The correspondence is largely condolence letters following J. A. Lyons' death in 1939. The remaining letters are from politicians, Tasmanian friends, and organisations - mainly women's groups, religious organisations, and the Liberal Party. This correspondence, and the speeches and broadcasts cover such topics as material and infant welfare, social services and abortion law reform.

McGuire, Paul. Papers, 1878-1987.
Catalogue Record: MS 6453

Novelist, journalist, political commentator, Australian Minister and later Ambassador to Italy (1954-1959). McGuire's correspondence includes letters from Enid Lyons.

Menzies, Sir Robert. Papers, 1905-1978.
Catalogue Record: MS 4936

Robert Gordon (later Sir Robert) Menzies was a UAP member; from 1934 he was MHR for Kooyong and Lyons' Attorney-General and Minister for Industry; later, he was Deputy leader and PM after Lyons' death. Box 579, folder 9 contains a typescript copy of Enid Lyons' diary in Britain in 1937.

O'Malley, King. Papers, 1888-1955.
Catalogue Record: MS 460

Member of House of Representatives 1901-1917 and Minister for Home Affairs in the second Fisher (Labour) Ministry (1910-1913) and under W.M. Hughes (1915-1916). The O'Malley Papers include correspondence with numerous prime ministers as well as one letter by Enid Lyons.

Rapke, Julia. Papers on various Australian Wome, n.d.
Catalogue Record: MS 842

Julia Rapke was the first president of the League of Women Voters (Victoria) formed in 1945. Her papers comprise manuscript drafts of biographical papers, including Dame Enid Lyons (17 pages), n.d.

Rischbieth, Bessie. Papers, 1900-1967.
Catalogue Record: MS 2004

Feminist, President Australian Federation of Women Voters (1921-1942). The papers include extensive correspondence, written on behalf of various women's organizations, with Lyons and also with Enid Lyons.

Tangney, Dorothy. Papers, 1938-1986.
Catalogue Record: MS 7564

ALP Senator. Correspondence, speeches, photographs, cuttings, subject files, including a file on Enid Lyons.

Whitington, Don. Papers, 1957-1976.
Catalogue Record: MS 3810

Don Whitington was a journalist with various metropolitan newspapers and founder of Australian Press Services. His papers include drafts of The witness men and correspondence and newspaper cuttings relating to the compilation of this book, including correspondence with Enid Lyons. They also include an extract from proofs of John Curtin - an atypical Labor Leader by Kim Beazley.