[UMA-SR-000000256] Diaries of Raymond Priestley

Description

IdentifierUMA-SR-000000256Extent14 volumesScope and ContentThis series comprises diaries kept by Priestley during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne (1935-1938), as well as three months interim period between leaving Melbourne and the commencement of the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Birmingham, England. These diaries were written at the end of a day and recorded events in his work such as the occurrence of meetings, policy and funding progress, as well as documenting social and political events of both the University and Melbourne, as well as personal family matters and those general interest. Priestley documents his extensive 1936 survey of overseas universities across items (1/5-1/8)
These diaries are typewritten, typically in black but also in red ink on the right hand side page. The left hand page was left intentionally blank for the insertion of newspaper clipping, annotations, photos, letters, songs lyrics, programmes and miscellanea. All photographs are black and white prints, with the exception of a colour print in the ‘Australian Diary [Volume] 9’ (1/12), p. 39[A], all have been glued into the diaries. Annotations and corrections have been made in Priestley’s hand in blue/black ink.
The original diaries are bound in dark green cloth with dark green leather on the corners and spine. The title and volume number are in gilt on spine. The exception to this is Priestley’s ‘English Holiday Diary, 1936’ (1/7) which is a photocopy, the original not held by UMA. Priestley corrected the diaries in 1972 before depositing them at UMA.
A handwritten index pertaining to the contents of the each diary are present in items (1/3-1/15). In addition to the index prefacing the American Journal Volumes I-II (1/5-1/6) there is a composite index of persons, places and stories for both volumes contained in (1/6), pp.335-339. Priestley’s initial pagination pertains only to individual entries, i.e. 14 August 1935, pp.1-2. Subsequently Priestley paginated most of his diaries in his own hand on the top right hand corner counting only each right hand page. However, ‘Australian Diary [Volume] 3’ (1/3) does not contain this second form of pagination and ‘Australian Diary [Volume] 4’ (1/4) only contains the partial pagination of ‘NZ1-NZ48.’ All diaries contain Priestley’s personal bookplate illustrating a scene with four penguins, a fur seal and ‘R. E. Priestley’ in an icy surround.Collection CategoryUniversity, individualsAccess StatusOpen for public accessPhysical RestrictionsThe original diaries are not available due to their fragile condition. A digitised version of the item will be provided on request for access in the Reading Room.Request Access to RecordsRequest records from this Series

Item

Unit

Series

Provenance

CreatorPriestley, Raymond E.RoleAuthor

Dates

Date1935-1938

Description Control

Previous System ID1973.0079.00003Finding Aid Reference1State of ListFully listed

Characteristics

Genre/FormDiaries

University of Melbourne Archives

Archives

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[UMA-SR-000000256] Diaries of Raymond Priestley