Guide to the papers of Charles and Ethel Bean

The papers of Charles and Ethel (Effie) Bean comprise records documenting various aspects of their lives. Charles' early life, particularly his education in England, is represented through photograph albums, notebooks and sketches. Diaries of their travels, 1924 and 1951, personal correspondence, 1920-1954, records relating to the purchase and running of their home 'Clifton' and photographs document Charles and Effie's life following the First World War and until his death in 1968. There are a number of files of correspondence relating to Charles' publications. Charles' varied personal interests such as town planning in Sydney, the League of Nations, and gardening are also represented in the collection. The records created after 1968 are primarily biographical and commemorative material relating to Charles' life, including sympathy cards and letters sent to Effie following his death. The collection also contains some diaries, notebooks and photographs of Charles' family members. The series containing personal correspondence is restricted at the request of the family. Charles Bean bequeathed the contents of his study to the Australian War Memorial and this collection is a part of that bequest. Other material from the bequest was incorporated into the Memorial's Official Records collection, and Military Heraldry collections. An interim item list was made at the time the material was transferred to the Memorial in 1991.