MS 7348
Papers of Blanche D'Alpuget



Scope and Content Note

  • Papers
  • 1963-1982
  • 56 cm. (4 boxes) + 1 folio package
  • Closed until June 1997

The papers were donated to the Library by Blanche d'Alpuget in 1984 under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme. Part of the collection is held by the Oral History Section at TRC 679.

Research material compiled by d'Alpuget between 1979 and 1982 while writing the book Robert J. Hawke: a biography (Melbourne: Schwarz/Lansdowne, 1982). The collection includes typescripts of the Hawke biography; notes from conversations and correspondence with Hawke and others; ACTU Executive minutes, 1970-78; papers relating to ACTU Congresses, 1967-79; R.J. Hawke speeches; newspaper and magazine cuttings and other papers. Also includes interview notes for Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby (Carlton, Vic.: Melbourne University Press, 1977).

Biographical Note

Blanche d'Alpuget is an Australian novelist and biographer. Her works include Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby (1977); Monkeys in the dark (1980), Turtle beach (1981) which won the Age book award in 1981, Robert J. Hawke: a biography (1982) and Winter in Jerusalem (1986). She is married to former Australian Prime Minister, R.J. Hawke.


Series Descriptions

Box 1

Folder                                                                  

1     ACTU Executive minutes, 1970-78                                       
2-3   Papers relating to ACTU Congresses, 1967-79                         
4     R.J. Hawke speeches, 1974-81                                          
5     R.J. Hawke interview notes and other papers                           

Box 2

Folder                                                                  

6-10  Corrected typescripts of R.J. Hawke: a biography                   

11-12 Notes from conversations with people about Hawke including Ron    
      Heiser, Professor Sam Stoljar, Dr Michael Epstein, Col Cunningham,
      Sir Peter Abeles, Gill Appleton, Eddie Kornhauser, Peter Redlich,
      Gough Whitlam, Chris Crellin, Gay Davidson, and Patsy Zeppez, 
      1980-81 (item list in folder 11).                                                     

Box 3

Folder                                                                  

13-16 Interview notes, letters, speeches and other papers relating to   
      R.J. Hawke, 1963-81 (item list in folder 13).                           

17    Newspaper article and notes on events concerning Hawke               

18-19 Primarily copies of letters by d'Alpuget and Hawke to various     
      correspondents, seeking their cooperation for the biography together    
      with some replies, 1980-81                                              

Box 4

Folder                                                                  

20    Correspondence with publishers, 1982; corrected typescripts of       
      foreword, bibliography, jacket notes etc; and publishers' corrections   

21    Newspaper cuttings                                                   

22    Interviews and notes for Mediator: a biography of Sir Richard Kirby  
      (1977)                                                                  

Publications                                                            

      Report by "Hevrat Ovdim" delegation on its visit to Australia (Tel      
      Aviv, Israel, 1972)                                                     

      Hurlbut's Story of the Bible (Auckland: William Gribble & Co)           

Folio package                                                           

      Three scrapbooks containing newspaper and magazine articles on Hawke,   
      1979                                                                    

Guide compiled June 1995. Last updated 17 July 1996