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| 2017.0028 [HONORIS CAUSA AND RECOGNITION] |
| Date Range of Records: |
1963-2014 |
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The Greer Archive has been made available due to its historical and research importance. Statements which form part of the collection are not made on behalf of the University and do not represent the University’s views. It contains material that some researchers might find confronting. This includes: Explicit language and images that reflect either the attitudes of the era in which the material was originally published or the views of the creators of the material but may not be considered appropriate today. Names, images and voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in published and unpublished printed material, audio recordings and photographs. Graphic descriptions of medical conditions and treatment.
This series contains records of honours and awards to Greer and of her recognition by and engagement with professional organisations, political lobby groups, and cultural bodies. The physical collection consists of over 80 items in nine units. The last five units contain minutes, agendas, papers and correspondence relating to the Britten Sinfonia, a chamber orchestra ensemble based in Cambridge, of which Greer has been a Board member since 1996. Item 2017.0028.00019 contains Greer's curriculum vitae 1963-1992.
Greer’s academic standing and contributions have been recognised by universities in Australia, England and Canada. She has been awarded honorary degrees from Griffith University, Queensland (Doctor of the University, 1996), York University, Ontario (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, 1999), University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (Honorary Doctorate, 2000), Anglia Polytechnic University (Honorary Doctor of Letters, 24/10/2003), University of Essex (Doctorate 2003, 10/7/2003), University of Melbourne (Doctorate of Laws, honoris causa, 2003), University of Sydney (Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters, 2005).
Other high profile recognition has come from Australia, including inclusion of a Greer plaque in the third stage of Writers' Walk, Circular Quay, Sydney, 1992, for which Greer supplied the quotation from her Journal of the Plague Year, 1988: "Australia is my birthplace but I cannot call it my own as well as my native land, for I have no right to live there. Until a treaty is agreed with the original inhabitants, I shall be homeless in the world." Greer was selected in 1997-1998 "by the people of Australia" as one of the National Trust of Australia's 100 Living National Treasures. She was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in the General List category 2003, her citation reading "For Service to Australian Society through the Advancement of Feminist Issues and Writing". (Greer had declined her 1999 nomination for a CBE (Commander of the British Empire). In 2006, Greer was the only women to be in the top 10 of the Bulletin Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Australians ever issue (Number 1 was Rupert Murdoch). Other prestigious awards include the Australia Post Australian Legends Awards 2011, in which Greer was one of the Legends depicted in the Advancing Equality postage stamps series, with Eva Cox, Elizabeth Evatt and Anne Summers, receiving her own stamp and a 24-carat gold replica of the stamp on which she appeared.
Greer has been nominated for literary awards in Australia, including The Prime Minister's Literary Awards for Non-fiction 2008, for Shakespeare's Wife and the inaugural The John Button Prize 2009 (won by Chloe Hooper for The Tall Man) and Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, both for On Rage.
The series contains records of Greer’s membership of professional associations, including Actors Equity, which she joined 1968, Institute of English Studies and Society of Authors. Greer was a founder member of Women in Journalism, an advocacy organisation launched in 1995 to support and promote women journalists working for magazines and newspapers. Greer was commended in the British Press Awards 1990 Columnist of the Year awards for her work for The Independent - Keith Waterhouse, Daily Mail, received the award of Columnist of the Year.
A sequence of folders contain records of Greer’s involvement in political lobby groups, Charter 88 and the June 20 Group. Charter 88 was an ad hoc association of individuals and bodies, which started in the offices of the New Stateman and Society, calling for fundamental reform of the British Constitution. Greer was a Founding Signatory to the statement, Charter 88, which was released on 30/11/1988 on the 300th anniversary of the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688, and argued for a modern democracy in Britain, with accountable government and equal rights for all citizens. The June 20 Group was established as an informal discussion group of writers and intellectuals by Harold Pinter and Antonia Fraser "to stem the rising tide of Thatcherite brutalism" by uniting the Left. The first meeting was held on 20 June 1988 at the Pinter home and Greer was a founder member. The June 20 group was wound up following the 1992 election, which returned the Thatcher government. During its existence meetings were addressed by eminent speakers on a range of issues. Topics of discussion included Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses, censorship, civil liberties and the Gulf War.
The series includes some records of possible academic governance positions for Greer. She was interested in the Principalship of St Edmunds Hall, Oxford, although withdrawing her candidature in 1999 and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, put Greer’s name forward for President, 2000. In 2002, Greer stood as a candidate for Rector of St Andrews University 2002, defeated by Clement Freud.
The series also shows Greer in demand as a judge of competitions, including the inaugural Steinbeck Award, 1995; the prestigious John Moores Exhibition of Contemporary Art - Liverpool, 1999; Poetry Society 2000 Competition, One World Media Awards 2003 and 2004. She has also been the patron of organisations including the Colchester Rape Crisis Line, Essex Book Festival, Frinton Literary Festival, Bronte Museum. Her expertise has been sought in consultations on the Perdita Project (database of literary manuscripts) and development of London’s Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
The last sequence of records in this series shows Greer’s close involvement in the governance of the Britten Sinfonia, from 1996 to 2014. Greer has been continuously on the Board since her election in 1996, initially for a three year term, and has been an active member throughout this time. Item 2017.0028.00090 includes correspondence on new shirts for the Britten Sinfonia, designed and funded by Greer. Greer initiated the design of a "unisex, sensual and dignified" new costume featuring long shirts in dark green or burgundy silk. The new uniform, based on the Indian kurta design, had a mixed reception from players and audiences. |
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| 9 units (1.53m) |
| Collection Category: |
Culture and the Arts, individuals |
| Access Conditions: |
Restricted |
| Finding Aids: |
Yes listed ONLINE |
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