About the Manuscripts collection

Our Manuscripts collection is one of the most significant in Australia, preserving original documents that offer unique insights into our history. From Captain Cook’s Endeavour journal to the papers of children’s author Mem Fox, the collection spans centuries and includes letters, diaries, drawings, emails, and blog posts—items that are one-of-a-kind and not mass-produced. Manuscripts are original, unpublished materials that offer a unique glimpse into history.

Browse Manuscripts

In the collection 

• Personal papers – Letters, diaries, and notebooks from individuals who have shaped Australian society.
• Creative works – Sketches, artworks, literary drafts, and handwritten manuscripts.
• Organisational records – Documents from institutions, political groups, and cultural organisations.
• Historical documents – Records relating to key moments in Australia’s past, including maps and photographs.
• Digital materials – Emails, blogs, and other born-digital records.

While the collection contains notable items from the colonial period, its greatest strength lies in materials from the 1890s onward, reflecting Australia’s development as a nation. It also includes significant holdings related to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

We actively collect materials that document Australia’s diverse communities, cultures, and political landscapes, ensuring that a broad range of voices and experiences are preserved for future generations.