Further papers of Reverend G. Stuart Watts, approximately 1908-1998

MLMSS 10549

fonds

approximately 1908-1998

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Clippings

9637190

0.48 metres of textual material (3 boxes), includes some photographs

George Stuart Watts (1899-1988), clergyman, philosopher and educator, was born in 1899 at Lower Nambucca, New South Wales.

After working as a Methodist preacher and cleric in Papua New Guinea during World War II Watts was appointed tutor in comparative religion with the department of tutorial classes, later known as Adult Education, at the University of Sydney. In 1956 he co-founded the Sydney Philosophy Club, of which he was later president. He also lectured for the Workers’ Educational Association.

Watts married Sadie Ghent in 1976.

In 1978 Watts retired, and in 1982 he published The Revolution of Ideas: Philosophy, Religion & Some ‘Ultimate Questions’.

References:
Ruth Teale, 'Watts, George Stuart (1899–1988)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/watts-george-stuart-15846/text27045, accessed 26 May 2021.

Papers were passed to family friend, Harry Nicolson, after the death of Reverend Watts' wife, Sadie Watts.

A collection of lecture notes, correspondence and family photographs from the estate of the Reverend G. S. Watts. Also included are papers related to the Sydney Philosophy Club, the Workers' Eduational Association, and Sydney University's Department of Adult Education.

BOX 1
Folder 1: Some recollections & reflections on Harry Eddy by Stuart Watts

Folder 2: Philosophy notes of earlier lecture on 'Innate knowledge'

Folder 3: Chapter VIII Design in History

Folder 4: Design and art

Folder 5: God in modern philosophy Lectures 1 and 2

Folder 6: Synopses of my John Anderson Memorial Lecture on 'God, the good and immortality'

Folder 7: Modern philosophy

Folder 8: Lecture on 'The meaning of life - an existentialist answer'. Also copy of Graham Nerlich's lecture

Folder 9: Lecture on trailing clouds of grammar

Folder 10: (1972) Notes for lecture on 'The laws of Plato'

Folder 11: Philosophy 1972 lecture on the Greeks and the irrational

Folder 12: A philosophical criticism of the ecumenical movement of 1972

Folder 13: Lecture on Experience, perception and the mind

Folder 14: Synopses of lecture on the ethics of Bertrand Russell for Annual School on Modern Ethical Theories, Department of Adult Education, University of Sydney, 31/7/76 and 1/8/76

Folder 15: Lecture on propositions

BOX 2
G. S. Watts notebook, 1951-1961
G. S. Watts diaries, 1964-1983
G. S. Watts travel diaries, 3 volumes, 1962
Sadie Watts travel diary, 1962
World War II diary of Brian Nairn Dobson (1919-1991) VX65786, undated until 1943. Includes references to Changi.

Folder 1: 80 photographs, photographic postcards, and an illuminated address welcoming G. S. Watts to the parish of St. David’s Arncliffe, N.S.W. Photographs include G. S. Watts at his ordination, in his army chaplain uniform during World War II, Sadie Watts and the extended Watts family and friends.

Folder 2: 36 letters and 3 postcards to and from G. S. Watts, his second wife, Sadie Aileen Watts (nee Ghent), and Harry Nicolson, 1940-1997. Also includes Sadie Watts' birth and baptism certificates (1908), poetry by G. S. Watts dedicated to Sadie Watts, a short biography of Watts for publishers written by Sadie Watts, 'Hills of Morning', a poem written by Watts aged 11, and a reference for Watts written by F. W. Hynes, 1926.

BOX 3
Folder 1: Sydney Philosophy Club event advertising, correspondence, lectures and notes

Folder 2: Workers' Educational Association (W.E.A.) and University of Sydney Department of Adult Education lectures, notes, event advertising, approximately 1955-1998

Folder 3: Miscellaneous correspondence, 1952-1979

Folder 4: Miscellaneous lectures and notes

Folder 5: Sunday Philosophy Club annual and ordinary meeting mintues, 1957-1986 (incomplete)

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Content and titles of Box 1, folders 1-15, provided by G. S. Watts.
Contents and titles of boxes 2-3 titled and organised by cataloguer.