Series 1 Correspondence, 1951-1990
MSS 229.1

Scope and Content

This series comprises two subseries of correspondence relating to Buckley's personal, writing and professional life. There is correspondence from family, friends, students, literary associates, agents, publishers and admirers regarding Buckley's university appointments and work, lectures and addresses, and various literary endeavours. There is also correspondence with Dr Penelope Buckley regarding publication of The Faber book of modern Australian verse (1991). Arrangement is alphabetical by name of correspondent or company, then chronological.

Much of the correspondence is from notable Australian literary personalities, including Bruce Beaver, R. D. FitzGerald, Helen Garner, Mary Gilmore, Gwen Harwood, Xavier Herbert, Jack Hibberd, A. D. Hope, Manfred Jurgensen, F. R. Leavis, David Malouf, David Martin, James McAuley, Rhyll McMaster, Dennis O'Driscoll, Bernard Smith, Chris Wallace-Crabbe, Patrick White and Fay Zwicky.

Buckley's correspondence reflects the intensity of thought, debate and the copious exchange of political attitudes, ideas and thoughts between leading intellectuals in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. His letters with Irish correspondents, and details of his visits to Ireland and Irish universities show his ties between Australian and Irish culture and writing.

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