History of the Fryer Library Collection

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Cecil Hadgraft (1904-1987) Bookman and Scholar

Hayes Group

Front: Father Hayes ; Middle: Nancy Bonnin, Cecil Hadgraft, Derek Fielding ; Back: Spencer Routh, Father Bob Flynn, Father Kevin Ryan

Cecil Hadgraft was a long-time academic in the University’s English Department and author of biographical and critical writings on Australian authors. He wrote about and edited nineteenth century authors such as Henry Savery, Frederick Sinnett, James Brunton Stephens and ‘Tasma’. He continued to publish collections of short stories after his retirement in the mid-1970s.

Hadgraft was a strong supporter of library collections and over three decades contributed to the development of the general and special collections of the University of Queensland Library. He was influential in the Library obtaining the Hayes collection in the late 1960s and he continued his support for building library collections particularly of nineteenth century Australian literary titles for the Fryer Library and newspapers and journals on microfilm. The Cecil Hadgraft Bequest Fund set up by his friends following his death commemorates and continues his contribution to the development of the Library’s collection.

Australian Literary Manuscripts

The acquisition of significant Australian literary manuscripts in the Hayes Collection provided the basis for further collecting of personal papers and manuscripts of Australian writers. Acquisitions during the 1970s included the papers of Ernestine Hill, George Essex Evans, John Blight, Martin Boyd and the A Beckett family, Michael Dransfield, Rodney Hall, Gwen Harwood, P.R. Stephensen and Tom Shapcott. In 1979 the papers of Xavier Herbert were transferred to the Fryer Library. The collection was named the Sadie Herbert Collection in memory of Xavier’s recently deceased wife.

1977 - Fryer Library’s Golden Jubilee

The Fryer Library celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1977. Printed holdings were about 60,000 titles.

Friends of the Fryer Library

The Friends of the Fryer Library was established in 1978 to provide support for the Library’s activities. The Group set out to raise funds, provide voluntary workers for special projects, and to foster the collecting of special collections, in particular collections of personal papers.

The first President was Dr Laurie Hergenhan of the English Department and poet, Tom Shapcott, was Vice President.

Other inaugural committee members included Fedora and Len Fisher, Alan Lawson, Denis Murphy, Joan Priest, Alrene Sykes and Margaret O’Hagan (Fryer Librarian). Len Fisher, Tom Stephens, Stan Mellick and Sue Gough were also Presidents of the Friends.

The Friends of the Fryer Library contintue to meet on a regular basis. Social gatherings with a guest speaker and a newsletter keep members in touch with each other and with the services and collections of the Fryer Library.

View a gallery of recent Friends of Fryer Events

Len Fisher Memorial Collection

In 1988 the Alumni Association established the Len Fisher Memorial Collection to honour the memory of Leonard Colin Fisher who served as President of the University’s Alumni Association from 1971 to 1974. Len also served as President of the Friends of Fryer Library.

The focus of the collection was rare and valuable books on Australian art. Notable acquisitions included Donald Friend’s Birds from the Magic Mountain and An alphabet of owls, Joanna Mendelssohn’s two volume work, The Art of Sir Lionel Lindsay (a limited edition of 300 copies), Frank Gibson’s 1914 work on Charles Condor and the Australian Academy of the Humanities publication, Baudin in Australian waters. This fund was closed in 1994.

Titles purchased for the Len Fisher Memorial Collection can be viewed in the Library Catalogue

Papers of major Australian writers acquired

Throughout the 1980s the Library continued to acquire the manuscripts and papers of Australian writers through donation but increasingly through the purchase of papers.

Birds from the Magic Mountain

Birds from the magic mountain by Donald Friend.

Literary manuscripts and other papers were purchased from Thomas Keneally, Thea Astley, Frank Moorhouse and David Malouf. The Library also commenced collecting papers relating to Brisbane theatre history. The first fifty years of records of La Boite (Brisbane Repertory Theatre) were transferred to Fryer in 1981. Other literary acquisitions from this time included the manuscripts of Peter Carey, Nancy Cato, Olga Masters, Oodgeroo Noonuccal and poet Bruce Dawe.

Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme (later known as Cultural Gifts Program)

This scheme was introduced by the Federal Government in 1979 to encourage owners of culturally significant items to donate them to Australia’s public art galleries, museums, libraries and archives by offering a tax deduction. The Library made early use of the scheme in the 1980s and continues to accept donations under the present Cultural Gifts Program.

The University of Queensland