Writing Lives – Collaborative Research Project on Working-Class Autobiography

Maud Clarke (1887-1982): Life and Labour – Part 2: Men at Work

Maud Matilda Clarke (née Mills, b.1887) was very proud that in 1913 when she married her husband Nehemiah Clarke (1882-c.1965) she no longer needed to work. This is an attitude that she likely learnt from her childhood as her father Samuel Mills (1854-1930) managed to support 7 children as well …

Maud Clarke (1887-1982): Life and Labour – Part 1: Women’s Work

They say a woman’s work is never done. Maud Matilda Clarke (née Mills, b. 1887) must have believed this growing up, watching all the inspirational women around her labour tirelessly to provide for the family. Her mother Maria Mills (née Hughes, 1859-1937) and aunt Rebecca Taylor (née Hughes, b. 1862) …

Jack McQuoid (1910-1985): War & Memory

‘I have lived through most of the twentieth century – an age of conflict and propaganda in which I have strived to …

Ellen Cooper (b.1921-2000) Education and Schooling: Part 2

‘Being at the Art School was a lovely time of my life. I learned so much.’ (pg. 5). Ellen Cooper’s eight-paged memoir …

Ellen Cooper (b.1921-2000) Education and Schooling: Part 1

‘At Christmas we had a party and prize giving, and in the summer the teachers took the whole school on an outing …

Researching Writing Lives

In reflecting on this process, I have just a few thoughts. I have had some experience blogging before and therefore undertaking this …

Jack McQuoid (1910-1985): Migration, Immigration & Emigration

‘These American songs seemed to be her favourites. They seemed to inspire pictures of a land that was rich and free – …

Martha Martin (b.1871): Life & Labour [1/3]

But when you can combine the two, then it is enjoyable as you do not mind how hard you work if there …

Audience and Purpose

There is no clear indication why someone who is not within the public eye as to why they would write such a …

Nora Lumb (b. 1912) Life and Labour Blog

“During the post war depression father always had work.” (Lumb, pg. 4) Throughout Nora Lumb’s 12-page autobiographical entry for The Burnett Collection, …