Walter Bentley papers, ca. 1821-1927

MLMSS 8395

fonds

ca. 1821-1927

Textual Records, Manuscript Notated Music, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Clippings, Posters

412450

1.43 metres of textual material (3 outsize boxes)

Walter Bentley was born William Begg, in Edinburgh ca. 1849, the son of the Reverend Dr. James Begg, one of the founders of the Free Church of Scotland. He arrived in Sydney in 1867 as an apprentice on the Colonial Empire. He worked as a jackaroo in Australia until leaving for Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1870.

In Dunedin he worked for the local council and boxed, before performing as an actor. In 1874 he returned to England where he consolidated his reputation in a variety of stage productions. He toured Australia in 1886, 1891 and 1899 and returned here to live in 1909.

After retiring from the stage he became an elocution teacher.

Reference
Library correspondence file

BOX 1X
2 scrapbooks of letters, newspaper clippings, reviews, fliers, etc. from Australia, New Zealand, England, and the United States, 1882-1893
Illuminated address presented to Walter Bentley by the Mayor of Dunedin at the Princess Theatre on 23 January 1892
Manuscript sheet music for oboe for 'My Adopted Wife' and 'Richard III' (7 p. only)

BOX 2X
Scrapbooks with letters, theatre programs, newspaper clippings relating to the theatre, reviews, etc., 1893-1913
Album with letters, fliers, programs, 1892-1894

BOX 3X
Scrapbook containing clippings, primarily images and portraits of actors, ca. 1821-1927
Folder of reprints and photocopies of theatre newspapers, posters, programs, articles, etc.
3 undated photographs: Bentley, his wife & daughter, photograph by May Moore, 16 x 21 cm.; Cast of 'Merchant of Venice' on stage, 20 x 25 cm; Bentley as Shylock, 25 x 33 cm.

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed:
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Information upgraded as part of the Manuscripts Unprocessed eRecords Project 2011-2012