MS 9062
Papers of Millicent Preston-Stanley (1883-1955)



Scope and Content Note

  • Papers
  • 1925-50
  • 42cm (3 boxes)
  • Available for reference

The papers of Millicent Preston-Stanley were donated to the National Library by Ms Diana Pearce in 1996.

The collection contains New South Wales election campaign material of Preston-Stanley, newspaper articles, biographical information, unpublished novels written by Preston-Stanley (1930-50), as well as two copies of the play, Whose Child, which was performed at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney in 1932. A folder of correspondence regarding the establishment of a film company, Quality Pictures Limited, is also included and a number of manuscripts of Crawford Vaughan's novels, The last of Captain Bligh, (1950) and Golden wattle time, (1942).

Biographical Note

Millicent Preston-Stanley was a politician and feminist. She was born on 9 September 1883 in Sydney and lived there until her death in 1955. Throughout her life she was involved in a number of women's organisations, such as the Feminist Club of which she was President from 1919-34 and 1952-55.

In 1925 Preston-Stanley became the first female member of the NSW Legislative Assembly, representing the Eastern Suburbs. During this time she campaigned on maternal mortality, reform in child welfare, amendments to the Health Act and better housing. She held her seat until 1927.

She was the Australian delegate to America for the British-American Co-operation Movement in 1936 and undertook a lecture tour of America in 1937-38. In 1947 she was involved in the organisation, United Women Citizens' Movement against Socialisation formed to oppose the Chifley government's attempt to nationalise Australian banking.

She married Crawford Vaughan, company director and former Premier of South Australia, in Sydney in 1934.

See: The Australian Dictionary of Biography, 1891-1939, Vol. 11, pp. 285-286.

Folders

1. Political career, 1925-50.

File containing New South Wales election campaign pamphlets of Preston- Stanley when she contested the 1925 state election, biographical information regarding her career in politics, her involvement in women's issues and the British-American Co-operation Movement.

Also includes an article written by Preston-Stanley in The United Australia Review, March 1, 1939, "Carrie Chapman Catt: the great suffrage leader of USA" and one letter from Mrs Dwight D. Eisenhower (1952).

In addition, newspaper cuttings, pamphlets discussing the Chifley Government's intention of nationalising the Australian banking system.

Manuscript of short story, 'The other woman', 15p. unpublished.
Newspaper cuttings, 1925-47.

2. Contains newspaper cuttings from 1925-30 written by Preston-Stanley regarding women in parliament and notable women in history.

3. Contains press cuttings and election pamphlets, 1925-27. These articles are predominantly about Preston-Stanley.

4-7. Writings, 1932-45.

Manuscripts of Preston-Stanley's play, Whose Child, 1931-32, 68p.
Two copies of the manuscript of 'Return to Carthage', 1943 (unpublished), 470p.
Synopsis and two copies of 'Husbands on parade' (unpublished), 274p.
Manuscript of 'Conquest' or 'Rivers of gold' (unpublished), 93p.

8. Correspondence, 1948-50 from the solicitors, Bell, Broderick and Gray regarding the formation of the company, "Quality Pictures Limited" and negotiations for the development of a cinema production of The last of Captain Bligh, Golden wattle time, The inner voice and a sea epic (no title mentioned).

9. Crawford Vaughan papers, 1935-47.

Contains an incomplete journalist record of Crawford Vaughan and manuscripts of The last of Captain Bligh, published in London, 1950, Golden wattle time, published in Sydney, 1942 and one unknown manuscript.

Box List

Box Folders
1 1
1 2
1 3
1 4
2 5
2 6
3 7
3 8
3 9