Harry Seidler personal and family papers, 1939-1979

MLMSS 5467

fonds

1939-1979

Textual Records, Objects, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Drawings, Clippings

423548

Microfilm : Internment diaries, typescript, in German, 1939-1941).

0.25 metres of textual material (1 box)
1 shirt

Born in Vienna in 1923, Seidler left Austria in September 1938 at the age of 15 following Hitler's annexation of Austria about a year before the beginning of World War Two. Seidler's brother Marcel was in England and arranged for Harry to come as a refugee to England where Harry Seidler was later interned by English authorities in May 1940 and sent to Canada as an 'enemy alien'.

After his release from internment in October 1941 Seidler remained in North America, developing his passion for architecture. He initially studied at the University of Manitoba, and he afterwards became registered as a Canadian architect, and later studied with world-renowned architect Walter Gropius at Harvard University. He then studied visual arts from the famous ex-Bauhaus artist Josef Albers. He went on to work with high-profile and influential architects Marcel Breuer and Oscar Niemeyer.

He arrived in Australia in June 1948 at the age of 24 and began his architectural practice, becoming famous for his modernist designs. He is the father of Australian modernism, a tireless champion for dramatic yet graceful architecture, and the artist behind many landmark Australian buildings.

1. Kriegstagebuch des Harry Seidlers Erster Band 3 September 1939 - 3 Marz 1940' [War diary of Harry Seidler volume one 3 September 1939 - 3 March 1940], 1939-1940. The diary actually ends on 11 May 1940
(Call No.: MAV/FM4/8187, frames 1-308: MLMSS 5467/1)

2. Das Tagebuch der Internierung 12 Mai 1940 - 4 Oct 1941' [Internment diary 12 May 1940 - 4 Oct 1941], 1940-1941
(Call No.: MAV/FM4/8187, frames 309-569: MLMSS 5467/1)

3. Correspondence, mainly between Harry Seidler and his parents Max and Rose Seidler, and papers re internment of Harry and his brother Marcell Seidler, 1940-1946, 1962-1979
(Call No.: MAV/FM4/8187, frames 570-771: MLMSS 5467/1)

4. 'Seidler diary - rough translation', 19 July 1940 - 9 Oct. 1941, by Judith Winternitz, 1940-1941. See also publication at ML 940.547241/1: 'Internment: the Diaries of Harry Seidler May 1940 - October 1941' / Janis Wilton, editor: diary translated by Judith Winternitz, Sydney, Allen & Unwin, 1986 (Call No.: MLMSS 5467/2)

5. Harry Seidler's original denim internment camp shirt from Quebec, Canada, 13 July 1940-4 October 1941 (Call No.: LR 85 )

German, English

Reproduction Restricted

Available for reference.
Descriptive list available (1 p.).
The diaries at MLMSS 5467/1 were lent for preservation microfilming in May 1982. The diaries were subsequently donated in June 1991. The correspondence was copied onto preservation microfilm in Aug. 1991.

Personal Effects - Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney, N.S.W.)
The architect's sketchbook - State Library of New South Wales (April, 1998 - August, 1998)
Harry Seidler: Painting towards Architecture - Museum of Sydney (November, 2014 - January, 1970)