Wendt, Albert, 1939- : Papers

Includes correspondence from the early 1960s onwards, although mainly from the 1970s and 1980s; the subject matter varies from the personal through to his work as a writer and an academic, and his correspondents include many literary figures, both New Zealand and international. The drafts of his work include heavily revised handwritten and typed copies through to galley proofs. His academic papers comprise both notes of lectures and addresses which he has delivered and university administration papers. As a successful writer and an academic he received poems and other literary works from aspiring writers, especially from the Pacific Islands, and these are included in the collection. The diaries are mainly consist of brief entries and are often little more than appointment books. His notebooks, converted usually from school exercise books, date from the 1960s and as well as school notes contain fragments of early drafts. There are also conference papers of the events at which he attended and often addressed, newspaper cuttings, early study notes, a radio interview and other material relating to his wide-ranging career.

Source of title - Supplied by Library

Arrangement: The collection came to the Library with no clear arrangement. The papers have been organised into series, comprising correspondence, diaries and notebooks, drafts, non-literary work, university administration work, printed material, and newspaper cuttings.

Born and raised in Samoa. Educated in Samoa and New Zealand. Trained and taught as teacher in New Zealand and then in Samoa, where he became principal of Samoa College. His first published book was 'Sons for the Return Home' in 1973. He has since published novels, essays, poetry collections, plays and anthologies of Pacific writing. Is also an artist. Has also had a notable academic career at Auckland University and the University of the South Pacific (in Fiji and Samoa). In 2013 he was awarded the Order of New Zealand.

Quantity: 449 folder(s). 12 Linear Metres. 4 b&w original photographic print(s). 119 Electronic document(s). 1 C60 cassette(s).

Physical Description: mss, typescript, printed matter, photographs, digital files, audiocassette

Transfers: Five published items transferred to the book collection at PR-14-0311, posters to Ephemera, plans of a fale to Drawings and prints (at Plans-2014-085-001/013) and copies of the Samoa Bulletin to Serials. The collection as a whole is with the Manuscripts Collection. - To Serials Collection - Copies of Samoa Bulletin - To Ephemera Collection - Posters - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Plans of a Samoan fale at Plans-2014-085-001/013 - To Book Collections - Five printed items at PR-14-0311 - To Sound and Music Centre - Four cassettes..