Eleanor Dark papers, 1849-1980

MLMSS 4545/Boxes 1-19, 21-31
MLMSS 4545/Item 20X

fonds

1849-1980

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Drawings, Photographs, Watercolours

413059

Microfilm : Family History of the O'Reilly and Dark families).

4.37 metres of textual material (30 boxes and 1 outsize item) - manuscript, typescript, carbon typescript, clippings, printed, albums, drawings, photographs

Eleanor Dark, 1901-1985, was born in Burwood, NSW, in 1901. Her father was Labor politician and writer Dowell Philip O'Reilly (1865-1923). She was commonly known by her nickname, Pixie, among family and friends. In 1922 she married medical practitioner and writer Dr Eric Payten Dark (1889-1987) and the couple settled in 'Varuna' Katoomba in 1923. They had one child, Brian Michael, born in 1929. John Oliver Dark, Dr Dark's son from a previous marriage, was born in 1920.
In the 1920s and 1930s Eleanor Dark wrote short stories and verse, under the pseudonym Patricia O'Rane or P.O'R, which were published mainly in Sydney literary magazines. Her early novel 'Pilgrimage' (ca.1923-1924) was never published, but in 1934 came 'Prelude to Christopher' followed by 'Return to Coolami' in 1936. Both were awarded the Australian Literary Society's Gold Medal. 'Sun Across the Sky' was published in 1937 and 'Waterway' in 1938.
In 1941 'The Timeless Land', the first of Eleanor Dark's historical trilogy based on the early years of the colony of NSW was published. It had the distinction of being the first Collins book set, printed (by Halstead Press) and published in Australia. This novel contributed to her reputation overseas and the translation of her work into foreign languages. The trilogy was completed with 'Storm of Time' in 1948 and 'No Barrier' in 1953.
In 1945 Dark's novel 'The Little Company' was published. Her final work, 'Lantana Lane', a collection of short stories based on experiences at the Dark family's macadamia nut farm at Montfort, Queensland, was published in 1959.
Eleanor Dark received the Order of Australia in 1977 and the Australian Society of Women Writers' Alice Award in 1978. She died on 11 September 1985. Her husband died in 1987.

A. LITERARY MANUSCRIPTS, ca. 1923-ca. 1959
Manuscript and typescript copies of 'Pilgrimage', 1923-1924; 'Prelude to Christopher', c.1934; 'Return to Coolami', c.1936; 'Sun Across the Sky', c.1937; 'Waterway', c.1938; 'The Timeless Land', c.1937-1940; 'The Little Company', c.1945; 'Storm of Time', c.1944-c.1947; 'No Barrier', c.1953; 'Lantana Lane', c.1959. Also includes nauscripts of articles, lectures, plays and poems, an untitled manuscript concerning the Calder family and fragmentary literary manuscripts. (Call no.: MLMSS 4545/Boxes 1-16

B. PERSONAL PAPERS, 1849-1980
Personal Papers, including diaries, 1936-1960; papers of the Dark and O'Reilly families, 1849-1978; research notes re historical trilogy, 1936-1960; bookjackets; newscuttings, including reviews of novels in American and Australian newspapers; printed short stories and poems, 1923-1978; correspondence, 1924-1980. (Call No.: MLMSS 4545/Boxes 17-31)

C. PICTORIAL MATERIAL.
Photographs, drawings and locks of hair relating to Eleanor Dark, 1908-1967
Includes album of sketches, loose pencil and watercolour sketches, photographs

This collection comprises manuscript and pictorial material. You may navigate to a more detailed description of the pictorial material from this collection record.

Restricted: Any requests for access will be referred to the Head of Manuscripts. Readers to be issued with three documents prior to access. Additionally, access requires a signed undertaking not to make any use of information contained therein, in conversation or in writing, that could cause pain or embarrassment to any living person.
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Click here to see extended guide to this collection in Guide to Australian Literary Manuscripts - onesearch.library.uwa.edu.au/view/delivery/61UWA_INST/12364186340002101

Collection conserved with generous assistance from The Society of Women Writers NSW Inc.