Papers of Thomas Shapcott
MSS 114
Collection Title
Papers of Thomas ShapcottCollection Identifier
MSS 114Inclusive date(s)
1941 to 1989Extent and Medium
Category
Subject: Terms(s)
Subject: Person(s)
Collection Description
The papers include notes, research material, manuscript and typescript drafts, scrapbooks, photographs, audio cassettes and posters relating to Shapcott's literary and musical endeavours, predominantly in the years 1985-1989.
Administrative / Biographical history
Thomas (William) Shapcott was born on 21 March 1935 in Ipswich, Queensland. He attended Ipswich Grammar School, leaving in 1951 to work in his father's accountancy firm. He continued his education at the University of Queensland, completing a degree in accounting in 1961, and a degree in Arts in 1967. Shapcott established his own accountancy firm in 1972, specialising in taxation for writers, artists and academics. In 1978 he became a full time writer, receiving a number of literary grants and fellowships to continue his writing. Shapcott served as Director of the Literature Board of the Australia Council from 1983-1990, and was the Executive Director of the National Book Council from 1991-1997. In 1997 he became the inaugural Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
In 1989 Shapcott was awarded the Order of Australia for his services to literature, as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Literature from Macquarie University.
Shapcott has been awarded:
Harold White Fellowships, 2005. Note: to examine the papers of Ray Mathew
Patrick White Award, 2000
New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, Special Discretionary Award, 1996
Wesley Michel Wright Prize for Poetry, 1996: winner
FAW Christopher Brennan Award, 1995
Canada-Australia Literary Award, 1978
C.J. Dennis Memorial Poetry Competition, Open Section, 1976: commended for The five senses
Myer Award for Australian Poetry, 1967: winner for A taste of salt water : poems by Thomas W. Shapcott
Grace Leven Poetry Prize, 1961: winner for Time on Fire.
References:
AustLit : The Resource for Australian Literature, March 2005.
Acquisition Details
Scope and Content
The papers include notes, research material, manuscript and typescript drafts, scrapbooks, photographs, audio cassettes and posters relating to Shapcott's literary endeavours, predominantly in the years 1985-1989. There are papers relating to the works 'Travel light, leave no debts' [1976], Hotel Bellevue (1986), Travel dice (1987), Limestone and lemon wine (1988), The Literature Board, a brief history (1988), The search for Galina (1989) and The art of Charles Blackman (1989). The collection also includes drafts for several short stories, dramas and dance pieces, some of which remain unpublished. One strength of the collection is a scrapbook, 1970-1984, which contains publicity for Shapcott's books, copies of reviews written by or about Shapcott, and other related material. There are also 12 audio cassettes in the collection which feature recordings of concerts for which Shapcott wrote libretti.
System of arrangement
The original order of the collection has largely been maintained by the Library.
Access Restrictions
Other
This collection is available for research.Reproduction Restrictions
Existence and Location of Orginals
Related and Separated Materials
Further papers relating to Thomas Shapcott are held by the Academy Library, UNSW Canberra at MSS 152 Guide to the Papers of Craig Powell, Series 2 Correspondence with Thomas Shapcott, 1966-1990.
Separated Material
Further papers relating to Thomas Shapcott are held by the National Library at MS 5577, and by the Fryer Library, University of Queensland, at UQFL 56.
Disclaimer
This collection contains a variety of copyright material. Copyright is held by the creator of each item. Specific conditions for this collection are listed above. If no conditions are stipulated then the standard terms of the Copyright Act apply for published and unpublished items. Digitised material from manuscript collections is provided to clients by UNSW Canberra in good faith for private study and research only, and may not be published or re-purposed without the express and written permission of the individual legal holder of that copyright. Refer also to the UNSW copyright, disclaimer and takedown policy.