Finnis, Margaret (1915-2007)
Papers 1936-1976
MSS 0099
Biographical Note
Margaret Finnis was a first class Honours graduate of the University of Adelaide and a part-time tutor in the Dept of English from 1959-1973 (with break from 1965-1968 while living in London). She was then appointed to a full-time position of Tutor in English from 1974 until December 1978.
She was the daughter of the late Professor John McKellar Stewart who was Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy at the University of Adelaide from 1923-1950, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor from 1942 to 1948.
Contents Listing
Series 1: Papers of John McKellar Stewart 20 cm.
Translations of the philosophical works of Edmund Husserl by McKellar-Stewart (ms, typescript and photocopies), with editorial annotation by Margaret Finnis. Also, 1976 letter from Finnis to M.H.L. Breda asking his advice re publication of the translations. Also, 6 audio-cassettes of readings from Husserl.
Notebook (secondary school physics notebook) containing ms notes on the cultivation of irises and other plants on unused pages. Also includes recipes, garden plans and copies of Iris Catalogue Season 1940-1941 (Adelaide: Harris Scarfe).
Series 2: Notebooks 9 cm.
Two student notebooks compiled by Margaret McKellar Stewart for Honours English, Suffolk 1936-1937
Notebook, English Dept 1963-1964, containing ms notes on English I syllabus, reading lists, essay topics, notes on authors/works [draft lecture notes?]
Two notebooks compiled by Margaret Finnis for tutoring of GCE while on leave in London 1966-1967 titled “Oxford and Cambridge GCE ‘A’ Level English notes 1967”. Includes copy of 1966 University of Cambridge GCE exam paper in English; reference for Mrs Janet Barbara Gladstone; ms ‘Report on English paper 217/7 1966 (Literature since 1900); sundry correspondence; student appointments from Davies [tutoring agency], London.
Series 3: Writings 6 cm.
Typescript book in 8 chapters on Henry James [n.d.] Not published?
Seminar paper on ‘Patrick White: Master of Arts’ (typescript and ms and typescript drafts, and audio-cassette)
Series 4: University of Adelaide. Dept of English ca 1968-1976 18 cm.
Papers relating to teaching and administration in the Dept of English Language and Literature, including tutorial and assignment topics, examination papers, meetings and circulars, some correspondence.
Series 5: Other University of Adelaide papers 4 cm.
Includes Arts Faculty meetings 1974; sundry other University circulars etc
Series 6: Other 2 cm.
Family planning: notebook containing minutes of the Constitution sub-committee of Family Planning Steering Committee, North Adelaide, 27/2/1970 (and French language exercises and translations of Catherine Finnis); sundry papers and pamphlets
Aboriginal education and conditions: Roneoed reports 1970-1973
1951 news clippings book
Unidentified photograph (woman and 2 girls)
Series 7: The Lower Level 32 cm.
‘The Lower Level: A discursive history of the Adelaide University Union” (The University of Adelaide Union, 1975):
- includes ms and typescript drafts, photocopies etc of source materials, ms notes (many on index cards), contract and correspondence related to the publication, galley proofs from the Griffin Press
- compilation of original processed documents related to the constitution and structure of the University Union (Constitution 1967; Proposal for restructured Union / SRC; Structure of Adelaide University Union 1969; List of Union Council 1967/1968 and 1968/1968; ‘Rebuilding: end and means’ for the Conference of Australian University Union Executives, July 1966; Submission to the Committee set up by the Union Council to consider the administration staffing of the Union, 1966; Comments from Union referendum (32 p.); Union Referendum: copy of papers and returns, 1969; papers from the University of Adelaide Staff Association, Adelaide Ancillary Staff Association, Adelaide University Graduates Union, Adelaide University Sports Association, and Students Representative Council on restructuring of the University of Adelaide Union; Constitution Committee report; Adelaide University Union Constitution 1970; papers on ‘Union Reform?’ / O.G. Jones, Warden, 1971; Proposed Union Constitution 1972)
- some papers of the Centenary Committee
- annotated typescript draft of The University of Adelaide 1874-1974 / WGK Duncan.
See also University of Adelaide Archives Series 1367 - Adelaide University Union History 'The Lower Level'
Australian and New Zealand Universities’ Seminar on Health Services (The University of Adelaide, September 1960) and the Report of the First Seminar … have been separately catalogued for the University Collection.
Cheryl Hoskin
December 2009
