Dark family aggregated collection of papers

fonds

1800-1991

Textual Records, Clippings, Ephemera

9661102

0.52 metres of textual material (3 boxes)

Eleanor Dark, 1901-1985, was born in Burwood, NSW, in 1901. Her father was Labor politician and writer Dowell Philip O'Reilly (1865-1923). She was commonly known by her nickname, Pixie, among family and friends. In 1922 she married medical practitioner and writer Dr Eric Payten Dark (1889-1987) and the couple settled in 'Varuna' Katoomba in 1923. They had one child, Brian Michael, born in 1929. John Oliver Dark, Dr Dark's son from a previous marriage, was born in 1920.
In the 1920s and 1930s Eleanor Dark wrote short stories and verse, under the pseudonym Patricia O'Rane or P.O'R, which were published mainly in Sydney literary magazines. Her early novel 'Pilgrimage' (ca.1923-1924) was never published, but in 1934 came 'Prelude to Christopher' followed by 'Return to Coolami' in 1936. Both were awarded the Australian Literary Society's Gold Medal. 'Sun Across the Sky' was published in 1937 and 'Waterway' in 1938.
In 1941 'The Timeless Land', the first of Eleanor Dark's historical trilogy based on the early years of the colony of NSW was published. It had the distinction of being the first Collins book set, printed (by Halstead Press) and published in Australia. This novel contributed to her reputation overseas and the translation of her work into foreign languages. The trilogy was completed with 'Storm of Time' in 1948 and 'No Barrier' in 1953.
In 1945 Dark's novel 'The Little Company' was published. Her final work, 'Lantana Lane', a collection of short stories based on experiences at the Dark family's macadamia nut farm at Montfort, Queensland, was published in 1959.
Eleanor Dark received the Order of Australia in 1977 and the Australian Society of Women Writers' Alice Award in 1978. She died on 11 September 1985. Her husband died in 1987.

COLLECTION 1:
Dark family papers, 1912-1991

COLLECTION 2:
Dark family further papers, 1928-ca. 1970

COLLECTION 3:
Dark family further papers, 1800-1940s

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