National Library Home > News & Events
Gateways

Celebrating Patrick White

Karen Johnson
Papers from the Patrick White Collection

Karen Johnson
Visitors browsing the display of papers from the Patrick White Collection

Karen Johnson
Papers from the Patrick White Collection

Karen Johnson
Papers from the Patrick White Collection

Karen Johnson
Heidi Pritchard introducing guest speaker David Marr, King's Hall, Old Parliament House

In November 2006 the National Library announced the acquisition of the personal archive of Patrick White. White had long asserted, even to his biographer, David Marr, that he kept no such papers. Thus the acquisition is doubly significant, not only because of White’s high standing in the literary world, but also because the papers provide researchers with a previously unimagined insight into his life and his writings.

On 30 March the Library hosted a Patrick White Day to showcase this important acquisition to the public. There were three components to the day. Firstly, a large selection of papers from the collection was on display from 10 am to 4 pm; secondly, a public seminar was held from 3.30 pm to 5 pm; and thirdly, a gala dinner was hosted in the evening.

In selecting the papers for display, the intention was to provide members of the public with the opportunity to browse the collection and to gain an appreciation of the extent and depth of White’s personal archive. Papers on display included correspondence, notebooks, literary drafts, annotated speeches, research files, awards, memorabilia and photographs.

Arguably of greatest significance in the collection are the papers relating to White’s literary works, and they attracted much interest during the day. There are notebooks containing literary references and research notes which White used as background material for his writings. Several of them also contain draft writings, including dialogues and character studies. One notebook, kept in 1941, contains a passage that White reproduced almost verbatim in his autobiography, Flaws in the Glass, which was published 40 years later. Drafts of this work are included in the collection. An exciting discovery in the archive was the drafts of two unpublished and apparently unfinished novels and an unpublished novella.

There is a small component of correspondence in the archive, including drafts of several letters by White himself. It is clear that White destroyed most of his incoming correspondence, and we can only assume that the letters he chose to keep must have had particular significance for him. Of interest are the more than 150 condolence cards sent to White’s partner, Manoly Lascaris, after his death. Correspondents range from famous writers to ordinary people whose lives White had touched in some way. The reminiscences and emotions expressed are evidence of the great affection and respect in which White was held. Some touch on the sadness felt for friendships with White that had ended badly, a fairly common occurrence given his famously irascible nature.

Possibly the most evocative inclusions in the display were White’s iconic beret and his pompom beanie, together with his appointment diary for 1988, in the front cover of which White inscribed:

May I be guided in the coming year in my efforts to unite people, through the written and the spoken word—that we may abandon despair and apathy for a fresh belief in spiritual progress and universal peace.

The afternoon seminar proved to be very popular, with some 300 people registering to attend. During the seminar David Marr, bookseller and antiquarian Nicholas Pounder, and distinguished scholar and academic Elizabeth Webby shared their personal recollections of White and their thoughts about the significance of the archive.

The finale to the day was a gala dinner hosted at The Ginger Room restaurant in Old Parliament House. Cooking and entertaining friends was an important part of White’s life, and contained in his papers is an eclectic collection of recipes, his favourites obvious from the recognisable stains of usage. The three-course meal was created using a selection of White’s original recipes. Over 120 people gathered in King’s Hall for pre-dinner drinks and an address by David Marr before making their way to the restaurant. Guests partied on into the night, with many exchanging reminiscences of their encounters with White and debating his literary legacy.

The success of the entire day is a testament to the great interest in White and his papers. Researchers have already made use of the collection and the nature of the papers ensures that they will be in demand for years to come.

A guide to the Patrick White Papers is available online via the Library’s website at http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms9982.

Karen Johnson
Manuscripts Collection