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Australian feminist manuscripts

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Rose Scott (1847–1925)

Papers of the Scott family, 1777–1925 (ML MSS 38)

Rose Scott, feminist, was born 8 October 1847, at Glendon near Singleton in New South Wales. Their mother educated Rose and her closest sister Augusta, while their brothers went to boarding school.

On her father's death in 1879 she inherited $500 a year and sole care of her mother. After the death of her beloved sister Augusta in 1880, Rose adopted her two-year-old son and moved him and her mother to Sydney.

From the age of 35, Rose Scott became a Sydney celebrity. She gathered politicians, judges, philanthropists, writers and poets to her regular Friday salon at her home.

Rose Scott claimed that her feminism originated in hearing the story of Katharina's subjugation in The taming of the shrew and attributed much to J. S. Mill's The subjugation of women (1861).

She was a founding member of the Women's Literary Society in 1889, from whose members the Womanhood Suffrage League of New South Wales was formed in 1891. Rose concentrated her energies on the struggle for franchise (1892–96), using her social contacts and lobbying skills astutely.

At the death of her mother in 1896, Rose Scott diversified her activities. She became involved in the early closing movement for shops and factories and the 1899 Act was reputedly drafted on her dinner table.

A foundation member for the National Council of Women of New South Wales in 1896, she was international secretary and convener of its legal committee from about 1904.

Sharing the belief of many feminists that women must remain independent of party politics, she was First President (1902–1910) of the Women's Political Education League. The league established branches throughout the state and consistently campaigned for the issue closest to Scott's heart: raising the age of consent to 16, achieved in 1910 with the Crimes (Girls' Protection) Act.

Always a staunch opponent of competition and aggression, she became President of the Sydney Branch of the Peace Society in 1908. Other post-suffrage feminist reform campaigns, in which she took part, included the Testator's Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants (1916), Women's Legal Status (1918) and First Offenders (Women) 1918 Acts.

Rose Scott died on 20 April 1925. All her public life, Rose Scott worked for measures to reduce men's power over women and to expand women's material options beyond marriage or prostitution. In seeking women's access to public office and the staffing of public institutions and the provision of public space for women's uses, she prized women's mobility and independence (Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11: 1891–1930. Melbourne, Melbourne University Press, 1988, pp. 547-549).

Collection of autograph letters, 1809–1916.
(CY 2638)

Papers regarding womanhood suffrage, 1877–1899.
(CY 1008)

Papers regarding womanhood suffrage, 1900–1902.
(CY 1009)

Papers regarding womanhood suffrage, 1903–1920.
(CY 1010)

National Council of Women papers, 1896–1910.
(CY 1689)

National Council of Women papers, 1911–1924.
(CY 1690)

Correspondence regarding women's work and women's movements, 1884–1924.
Part 1 (CY 1260)
Part 2 (CY 1261)

Correspondence regarding the Women's Political Educational League 1903–1907.
(CY 1018)

Correspondence regarding C. H. Spence, 1893–1913.
(CY 1018)

Correspondence regarding prison reform, c.1896–1924.
(CY 1019)

Correspondence, c. 1891–c. 1923: Federation, early closing and cremation.
(CY 1601)

Correspondence: Peace Society and the War, 1898–1923.
(CY 2104)

Miscellaneous correspondence.
(CY 2105)

Miscellaneous correspondence:
1905–1915 (CY 2107)
1916–1924 (CY 2108)

Correspondence, 4 August 1867 to 26 March 1925 arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
(CY 1222)

Miscellaneous speeches and notes, 1890–1922:

Regarding women and children, 24 September 1900 to 21 March 1922, including Factory Girls' Club, venereal disease, women in politics and the legal and economic position of women and children.
(CY 2947 & CY 2994)

Regarding literature, c. 1893 to c. 1903, including 'Notes of my visit to the Lawson's, April 19 1899'.
(CY 3021)

Regarding Australian Federation, 1899.
(CY 3021)

Regarding her career, 12 April 1921 and 22 September 1922, being her speech to the Feminist Club on her retirement from public life and her speech on the occasion of the unveiling of John Longstaff's portrait of her.
(CY 3021)

Regarding various topics, October 1890 to 8 June 1908, including socialism, democracy, early closing of shops, welfare of workers, capital punishment, education and social life.
(CY 3047-3048)

Miscellaneous personal papers, 25 January 1875 to 12 April 1921:

Include papers regarding her interest in the Blandford Proprietary Grammar School, Newcastle, NSW and the 'Roughit' property, Hunter Valley, NSW, reports on her character by phrenologists, receipts, menus, invitations and calling cards.
(CY 3053)

Womanhood Suffrage League, 1891–1902:
Minute books, 18 April 1891 to 9 April 1896 and 4 June 1899 to 23 September 1902.
(CY 1286)

Roll book, giving membership details 1891–1902.
(CY 1290)

Correspondence, 8 June 1892 to 1 September 1902.
(CY 1290)

Petty cash book, July 1891 to November 1894.
(CY 1290)

Notebooks of the Honorary Secretary, listing matters to be brought before council meetings, 27 November 1894 to 24 August 1897, 28 September 1897 to 19 September 1900, and 23 October 1900 to 23 September 1902.
(CY 723)

Newspaper cuttings, 27 November 1894 to 23 September 1902, mainly regarding woman suffrage, which were found loose in the above notebook of the Honorary Secretary.
(CY 723)

Miscellaneous papers, 1892 to c. September 1902:
Includes drafts of resolutions and public notices, results of elections and the unpublished 11th and final annual report of the Womanhood Suffrage League, 1902.
(CY 1291)

Printed leaflets produced by the Womanhood Suffrage League, 30 October 1891 to 15 September 1902.
(CY 2948)

Newspaper cuttings regarding Womanhood Suffrage League activities, May 1891 to 14 June 1903.
(CY 2948)

Miscellaneous papers regarding woman suffrage, 1888–1920: Speeches and notes, March 1892 to c. 1918.
(CY 1294)

Papers collected by Rose Scott, n.d.:
Include 'Western Australia Woman's Suffrage' by Edith D. Cowan and a speech of thanks by May Hickman to the Labor Party for its support of the suffrage bill.
(CY 1294)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings, 19 January 1888 to 2 November 1920:
Regarding the Australian woman suffrage movement:

Include leaflets for Women's Christian Temperance Union of NSW; Anti-Female Suffrage League, Sydney; Women's Suffrage League of South Australia; Women's Equal Franchise League, Brisbane; United Council for Women's Suffrage, Melbourne; and Women's Federal Political Association of Victoria.
(CY 1295)

Regarding overseas women's suffrage movements:
Include leaflets of Women's Social and Political Union, London.
(CY 1295)

Women's Political Educational League, 1902–1909:
Correspondence, 8 October 1902 to 5 September 1907, arranged chronologically.
(CY 2640)

Speeches given as President of the League, 1903 to 4 November 1907.
(CY 2640)

Printed leaflets produced by the Women's Political Educational League, 19 January 1903 to 5 November 1906.
(CY 3512)

Newspaper cuttings regarding Women's Political Educational League activities, c. 8 October 1902 to 7 November 1907.
(CY 3512)

National Council of Women of New South Wales, 1896–1925:
Correspondence, 1 May 1898 to 13 May 1925, being mainly circular letters from the International Council of Women and other National Councils, arranged chronologically.
(CY 2636)

Letter, 27 January 1906, inserted in mainly blank volume.
(CY 3513)

National Council of Women of New South Wales:
Miscellaneous Records, 11 December 1897 to 19 June 1924:

Include reports on the activities of the NSW Council and its committees; agendas; resolutions; the International Secretary's reports; reports of the quinquennial meetings of the International Council of Women; and a speech by Mrs MacCallum on the occasion of Rose Scott's retirement from active work in the Council, 31 May 1921.
(CY 2637; CY2641; CY3054)

Speeches given to the National Council of Women of New South Wales, c. 1899 to 31 May 1921:
Regarding early closing of shops, war and international arbitration, children's courts, venereal disease, employment agencies, laws affecting women and children, the League of Nations, and the history and work of the National Council of Women of NSW and the International Council of Women.
(CY 2649)

Printed leaflets, 1896 to May 1924.
(CY 3513)

Newspaper cuttings regarding National Council of Women of New South Wales activities, June 1896 to 31 March 1923.
(CY 3513)

Peace Society of NSW, 1907–1924:
Correspondence, 10 September 1908 to 26 November 1916, arranged chronologically. (CY 3514)

Cheque book
(CY 3514)

Miscellaneous records, 29 September 1907 to 7 May 1924:
Include annual reports, resolutions, list of members and circulars.
(CY 2969)

Newspaper cuttings regarding Peace Society of NSW activities, c. May 1907 to 1918.
(CY 3514)

Miscellaneous papers regarding peace, 1893–1924:
Speeches and notes on peace and international arbitration, c. 1900–1920.
(CY 2943)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings regarding the Peace Movement in Australia, 1904–1924. Include leaflets of Peace and Humanity Society of Victoria; Australian League of Nations Union; Australian Friends Peace Board; Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; Australian Peace Alliance; Australian Union of Democratic Control; and the Peace Society, Melbourne.
(CY 606)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings regarding the conscription issue, c. 1903 to 26 May 1922: Include leaflets of Political Labor League and Australian Freedom League.
(CY 606)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings regarding overseas peace movements, 16 August 1893 to 11 September 1924:
Include leaflets of International Committee of Women for Permanent Peace, the London Peace Society and the League of Nations.
(CY 606)

Records of various organisations, 1895–1912:
Little Wives of India Fund, June 1895 to 26 October 1901; Sangal Fund, 8 November 1902; Women's Club, 22 February 1902 to c. April 1917; Sydney Ladies' Swimming Association, 1908 to 14 March 1912; Woollahra Sanitary Committee, n.d.; Memorial to Miss C.H. Spence, c. 1910; and memorial to the late Charles Bright, n.d.
(CY 2944)

Papers collected, 1852–1922:
Letters, 1892–1922.
(CY 3055)

Poems, 1852–1918:
Include poems by Victor Daley, George Essex Evans, Joseph H. Lawson, Nina Murdoch and Will Ogilivie.
(CY 2945)

Miscellaneous papers collected, 1891–1914:
Include 'Woman's position in the music-world of Sydney', by Teresa Boesen, n.d.; 'Industrial legislation in New South Wales Australia', by Annie Duncan, 31 March 1909; two speeches by Catherine Helen Spence, 1902 and 1904; articles by M. G. B. Hamilton, c. December 1900, and by Madge Donohoe, 30 September to 20 November 1904; and short stories by Alice Johnson, n.d.
(CY 2945)

Printed material, 1863–1924
Newspaper cuttings regarding Rose Scott, 7 May 1892 to 5 October 1924.
(CY 2231)

Newspaper cuttings regarding the Scott, Mitchell, Rusden, Selwyn, Merewether, Shaw, Busby, Hamilton and Wallace families, 16 July 1867 to c. 20 November 1924.
(CY 2231)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings regarding women's issues, 1888 to c. 12 September 1924:
Material on legislation affecting women, including Crimes (Girls' Protection) Bill, Testators' Family Maintenance Bill and Women's Legal Status Bill; women's organisations including Women's Liberal League, Women's Progressive Association, Feminist Club, Women's Political Association and Women Workers' Political Organisation; prominent feminists, including Vida Goldstein, C. H. Spence, Adela Pankhurst Walsh, Susan B. Anthony and Frances E. Willard; women's entry into new areas of employment; equal pay; marriage and divorce.
(CY 2231; CY 3673)

Printed leaflets and newspaper cuttings regarding personalities, social events and Births, Deaths and Marriages, 18 July 1898 to 12 December 1924 and regarding theatre, mainly Australian, 20 July 1891 to 1 September.
(CY 3577)

Miscellaneous printed leaflets, 15 March 1863 to July 1924.
(CY 3086)

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Updated: Friday 21 September 2007 14:17:14