Review of The Recollections of Geoffry Hamlyn, Maurice Guest, and The Journal of Annie Baxter Dawbin: July 1858 - May 1868

Abstract

The Academy editions of Australian literature announce themselves as 'the first series of critical editions of major works' (Foreword to each volume). Each volume 'has a meticulously prepared reading text, an accurate record of textual variants ... a comprehensive essay on the publishing and reception history ... and extensive explanatory notes to place [it] ... in the context of its times' (Brochure). The series promises to make a distinctive contribution. It was initiated by the Australian Academy of the Humanities in 1992 with initial grants from it and from the Australian Research Council, and continuing support for the research for individual volumes by the latter. It is by far the most ambitious and costly project ever undertaken in Australian literature, with three volumes published to date and nine further volumes planned. This review will look first at the three individual published volumes and secondly at the conception and planning of the series as a whole.