Harry F. Chaplin - Chris Brennan by A.G. Stephens and other papers, 1933, 1934, 1950

MLMSS 7318

fonds

1933, 1934, 1950

431844

0.02 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript and printed

Christopher John Brennan, poet and scholar, was born in Sydney in 1870. He worked as a cataloguer for the Public Library of NSW, 1895-1909. During this time and subsequently he lectured in Latin, French and German at the University of Sydney. Between 1897 and 1918 he published three volumes of poetry. He died in 1932.
Constance Robertson, journalist, was the daughter of A.G. Stephens, literary critic, editor, publisher and writer. She worked with him on the Bookfellow, later on the Woman and finally, as social editress of the Sydney Morning Herald.
John Shaw Neilson's first poem was published in the Bulletin in 1896, thus beginning an influential relationship with A.G. Stephens as his editor and literary advisor. In 1905 his eyesight began to fail and this proved a hindrance to his writing. His first published volume of poems appeared in 1919 and was followed by another four, and there have been several more since his death in 1941.

Harry Chaplin's copy of the first edition of 'Chris: Brennan' by A.G. Stephens (Sydney: The Bookfellow, 1933) presented to him by Stephens' daughter Constance Robertson. Harry Chaplin's bookplate (Lionel Lindsay's etching of Brennan, signed by the artist and numbered 19 of 25) is adhered to the inside front cover. Various additional items are tipped in:
1. Letter from John Shaw Neilson to Constance Robertson, 2 September 1934.
2. Fair copy - 'provisional and incomplete'- of Brennan's poem 'Towards the Source' in his hand.
3. Letter from Constance Robertson to Harry Chaplin, 21 November 1950. Also included is a Christmas card (undated) signed by Roberston.