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Turner, Ethel (1870-1958.)

Also known as
Curlewis, H. R. (Mrs) (1870-1958)
Turner, Ethel (1870-1958)
Turner, Ethel (1872-1958)
Turner, Ethel Sybil (1870-1958)
Turner, Ethel Sybil (1872-1958)
Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-617272

Biographies

Australian Women's Register

Ethel Turner's first book, Seven Little Australians, was published in 1894. Translated into ten languages, it was made into a stage play in 1915 and a film in 1939. In 1953 it was televised in Britain, and in 1973 and 1975 by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

Ethel Turner migrated to Australia with her family at the age of eight. While attending Sydney Girl's High School, she published Parthenon with her sister Lillian. She began writing in 1890. Ethel met Herbert Curlewis in 1891, and the pair were married in 1896 when he was an established barrister and she was already a successful writer of children's stories. According to Heather Radi in her anthology 200 Australian Women, Turner contributed a 'Sydney letter' to the Tasmanian Mail and wrote for the children's column of the Illustrated news. The Bulletin accepted her first story in 1892 and she published her first book, Seven Little Australians, in 1894. Radi notes that the book was criticised by some for not conforming to nineteenth century conventions in children's literature, whereby good behaviour is always rewarded, but the book was enormously successful and remains so, with over 40 editions published.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Libraries Australia

Ethel Turner's year of birth now known to be 1870 not 1872. See From a chair in the sun / A.T. Yarwood.

Ethel Turner (24 January 1872 – 8 April 1958) was an Australian novelist and children's writer. She was born Ethel Mary Burwell in Doncaster in England. Ethel Turner was educated at Paddington Public School and Sydney Girls High School - she was one of the school's original thirty-seven pupils. She started her writing career at eighteen with her sister Lillian, with whom she founded the Parthenon, a journal for young people. As 'Dame Durden', she wrote childen's columns for the Illustrated Sydney News and later for the Town and Country Journal. In 1891, the family moved to Inglewood (now known as Woodlands), a large house in Lindfield, now Killara, which was then out in the country. Inglewood still stands today in Werona Avenue and is where she wrote Seven Little Australians. Her best-known work is her first novel, Seven Little Australians (1894), which is widely considered a classic of Australian children's literature and was an instant hit both in Australia and overseas. The book, together with its sequels The Family at Misrule (1895) and Little Mother Meg (1902) deal with the lives of the Woolcot family, particularly with its seven mischievous and rebellious children, in 1880s Australia. A companion to "Seven Little Australians", Judy and Punch was published in 1928. Like her stepfather, the character of Captain Woolcot was a widower with six children. The book was made into a feature film in Australia in 1939 and a UK television series in 1953. A 10-episode television series was made in 1973 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Turner published a number of other books for children, short stories and poems. "Three Little Maids" (1900) is a strongly autobiographical novel about her family's migration from England to Sydney, Australia. Turner wrote more than 40 novels. Some were about the mischievous Woolcots. Others were serialized like her books on the Cub and some were stand-alone. The children she wrote about were all adventurous and independent. They frequently got themselves into sticky situations and got themselves out of them with very little to no adult help. Ethel Turner was awarded a number of prestigious literary awards and can easily be classed as one of Australia's best-loved authors. The Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature is given annually under the auspices of the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards.

View the full record at Libraries Australia

Related people and organisations

Resources for Ethel Turner

Selected resources (27)

Australian Women's Register

  1. The Cub: Six Months in his Life: A Story in War-Time
    Turner, Ethel. And Copping, Harold. (illustrated by)
    [1915]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  2. Seven Little Australians
    Turner, Ethel S. and Johnson, A J (illustrated by)
    [1894]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  3. The Apple of Happiness
    Turner, Ethel
    [[1911]]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  4. Betty & Co
    Turner, Ethel
    [1903]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  5. Ethel Turner Birthday Book: A Selection of Passages from the Books of Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, L.T.T. (arranged by); with Kernahan, Coulson (foreward by)
    [1910]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  6. Captain Cub
    Turner, Ethel
    [[1917?]]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  7. The Family at Misrule
    Turner, Ethel. with Johnson, A J (illustrations by)
    [1895]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  8. The Sunshine Family: A Book of Nonsense for girls and Boys
    Turner, Ethel. & Curlewis, Jean
    [1923]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Co., London
  9. 'My Oath!' 102 Years of Seven Little Australians
    State Library of Victoria
  10. Brigid and the Cub
    Turner, Ethel; [Copping, Harold (illustrated by)]
    [1919]
    Published: Ward, Lock & Bowden, London
  11. Dark, Eleanor 1901-1985
    National Library of Australia
  12. Australian Dictionary of Biography Online
    Australian National University
    [2006]
  13. Ethel Turner, Lilian Turner and Jean Curlewis ; A Family of Australian Authors
  14. 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology
    Radi, Heather
    [1988]
    Published: Women's Redress Press, Sydney
  15. Australian women writers : a bibliographic guide
    Adelaide, Debra
    [1988]
    Published: Pandora Press, London ; Sydney
  16. Authors & Illustrators of Australian Children's Books
    McVitty, Walter
    [1989]
    Published: Hodder and Stoughton (Australia), Rydalmere (NSW)
  17. The Diaries of Ethel Turner
    Poole, Philippa (compiled by)
    [1979]
    Published: Ure Smith, Sydney
  18. Johns Notable Australians
    Johns, Fred
    [1905]
    Published: George Robertson & Company Proprietary Limited, Adelaide
  19. Ethel Turner - Literary manuscripts and correspondence, 1901-1926 [manuscript]
    [1901 - 1926]
    Plays, poetry, prose. Manuscripts and Typescripts. Many items incomplete. Correspondence with editors, handwritten and typed drafts of poems, plays, short stories and novels, including Seven Little Australians.
    0.1 m
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 2233
  20. Papers of Ethel Turner
    [1887 - 1935]
    Personal papers, photographs, newscuttings typescript and drafts, correspondence.
    0.32 m, 2 boxes
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 749
  21. Papers of Ethel Turner
    [1894 - 1951]
    1. Drafts of novels, short stories, etc. 1918-1936. 2. Speeches, c.1926- 3 - 10. Letter books, 1909-1912, 1935-1940; copies of correspondence to publishers; letters 1913-1947, mainly to publishers and correspondence 1893-1948 with Ward Lock & Co. Ltd. and other publishers. 11 and 12. Letters from theatre companies 1900-1921 concerning production of Ethel Turner's plays; letters from various people, 1888-1941. 13 and 14. Miscellaneous papers, including an album, one suede folder with initials EC, various certificates, autographed menus, etc.
    0.84 m, 6 boxes
    Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales
    MLMSS 4523
  22. Ada Cambridge manuscript collection
    [1897 - 1908]
    Photographs of letters. Originals in the Mitchell Library. Photocopies of correspondence between Ada Cambridge (nee Cross) and Angus & Robertson, Bertram Stevens, A.G. Stephens, and Mrs Curlewis (Ethel Turner), between 1897-1908.
    0.15 m
    Special Collections, Academy Library, UNSW@ADFA, Australian Defence Force Academy
    mss G79
  23. Records of Ward, Lock and Co.
    [1928 - 1954]
    Correspondence, 1939-1954, between Mary Grant Bruce and Ward Lock and Co.; also, correspondence, 1928-1954, between Ethel Turner and Ward Lock and Co. Correspondence contains details of royalities and sales for some years, problems associated with printing during World War II, and personal insights; also, some miscellaneous correspondence.
    0.03 m
    State Library of Victoria, Australian Manuscripts Collection
    BOX 3719/2-3
  24. Photographs of Women literary figures
    [Photographs ]
    Photographic copies of 77 black and white photographs mainly of notable writers and literary figures including Dame Mary Gilmore, Sir Lionel Lindsay, Norman Lindsay, Ethel Turner, Zora Cross, Tom Inglis Moore and Ruth Park.
    1 folder
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 6191
  25. Papers of Eleanor Dark
    [1923 - 1974]
    The collection consists of newspaper clippings (1936-1954) mainly reviews of Eleanor Dark's novels, and letters (1923-1974) from a number of the prominent Australian literary figures of the period. The correspondents include Manning Clark, Kate Baker, Jean Devaney, Flora Eldershaw, Mary Gilmore, Vance and Nettie Palmer, Miles Franklin, Eric Lowe, Marjorie Barnard, Ethel Turner, Xavier Herbert, Frank Dalby Davison, Brian Fitzpatrick, Alec Chisholm, Kylie Tennant, Meta Mackan, Ruth Park, Ethel Curlewis, C.B. Christesen.
    0.1 m
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 4998
  26. Correspondence from Ethel Turner
    [1880 - 1935]
    Correspondence from Thomas Edison, Nellie Melba, Ethel Turner, Edgeworth David, the actor Henry Brodribb Irving and other outstanding personalities to Sir William and Lady (Lily) Cullen. Writings and drafts of speeches on political and social issues by William Cullen including notes on "Kiama Jamberoo Valley 1890" which give a detailed description of the Illawarra and surrounding region. One cutting book of letters and obituaries concerning the deaths of Lady Cullen (1931) and Sir William (1935); order of service for funeral of Dean William Macquarie Cowper 1902, and William Cullen 1935; Correspondence from Sir Edmund Barton, Sir George Reid, Sir Samuel Griffith, Sir Philip Game, Sir Mungo McCallum, Lord and Lady Baden Powell. Many of these are congratulatory letters on Sir William's judicial appointment in 1910. A hand written essay by Sir William entitled "Walks in Wales". Other correspondence relates to the Boy Scouts Association (Sir William was President) and Sir William's appointment to the post of lecturer in law, University of Adelaide 1887. All names in description.
    0.24 m, 12 folders
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 6710
  27. Papers of Violet Braddon
    [1916 - 1980]
    A collection of 25 scrapbooks containing letters, invitations, photographs, newspaper cuttings and other papers documenting Lady Braddon's social activities, public campaigns, political interests and travels. There are also loose letters, travel diaries, publications and cuttings. The correspondence is mostly with public figures including Sir Robert Menzies, Malcolm Fraser, Sir James Killen, John Carrick, Andrew Peacock, Ian Sinclair, Tony Eggleton, Eric Willis, James McClelland, Lord Mountbatten, Edward Heath and Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. One scrapbook contains a letter and manuscript of Ethel Turner.
    0.75 m
    National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection
    MS 6943

Resources By Ethel Turner (98)

  1. The diaries of Ethel Turner / compiled by Philippa Poole
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1979-2004]
  2. Seven little Australians
    [Video : 1973-2004]
  3. Seven little Australians / Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1894-2007]
    Available online
  4. Miss Bobbie / by Ethel Turner ; illustrated by Genevieve Rees
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1897-1997]
  5. The family at Misrule Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1890-1996]
    Available online
  6. Three little maids by Ethel Turner (Mrs. H.R. Curlewis)
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1900-2002]
    Available online
  7. Little mother Meg / Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1900-1997]
  8. Judy and Punch / Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1900-1995]
  9. The camp at Wandinong / by Ethel Turner ; illustrated by Genevieve Rees
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1897-1978]
  10. The cub : six months in his life : a story in war-time / by Ethel Turner (Mrs. H.R. Curlewis)
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1900-1978]

More...

Resources About Ethel Turner (29)

  1. The diaries of Ethel Turner / compiled by Philippa Poole
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1979-2004]
  2. From a chair in the sun : the life of Ethel Turner / A.T. Yarwood
    Yarwood, A. T. (Alexander Turnbull), 1927-2002
    [Book, Audio book : 1994-1996]
  3. Seven little Australians
    [Video : 1973-2004]
  4. Seven little billabongs : the world of Ethel Turner and Mary Grant Bruce / Brenda Niall
    Niall, Brenda, 1930-
    [Book, Audio book : 1979-1982]
  5. A Turner bibliography : a guide to identification and value of the books written by Ethel Turner (Mrs H.R. Curlewis) (1870-1958) / compiled by Ross Burnet
    Burnet, Ross
    [Book : 1999-2003]
  6. Ports and havens / by Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1911]
  7. Diaries
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Unpublished : 1889-1928]
  8. [Papers concerning Phoebe Kirwan and Ethel Turner] / [Phoebe Kirwan?]
    Kirwan, Phoebe
    [Unpublished : 1925-1953]
  9. Papers
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Unpublished : 1887-1935]
  10. Catching sunbeams : the life and work of Ethel Turner : June 28 - August 10, 1991 : curated by Elizabeth Sarks
    Sarks, Elizabeth
    [Book : 1991]

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  1. [Papers concerning Phoebe Kirwan and Ethel Turner] / [Phoebe Kirwan?]
    Kirwan, Phoebe
    [Unpublished : 1925-1953]
  2. Diaries
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Unpublished : 1889-1928]
  3. Papers
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Unpublished : 1887-1935]
  1. Stone, Louis. 1871-1935
    novelist; playwright; schoolteacher; short story writer
    ... Turner, Ethel Mary (1870 - 1958) ...
  2. Souter, D. H. 1862-1935
    bookplate designer; cartoonist (general); composer; illustrator; journalist; water-colourist
    ... Turner, Ethel Mary (1870 - 1958) ...
  3. MacKinnon, Eleanor Vokes Irby. 1871-1936
    animal welfare activist; community worker; painter; poet; Red Cross administrator; women's activist
    ... Turner, Ethel Mary (1870 - 1958) ...
  1. The diaries of Ethel Turner / compiled by Philippa Poole
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book : 1979-2004]
  2. Seven little Australians / Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1894-2007]
    Available online
  3. From a chair in the sun : the life of Ethel Turner / A.T. Yarwood
    Yarwood, A. T. (Alexander Turnbull), 1927-2002
    [Book, Audio book : 1994-1996]
  1. Seven little Australians / Ethel Turner
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1894-2007]
    Available online
  2. From a chair in the sun : the life of Ethel Turner / A.T. Yarwood
    Yarwood, A. T. (Alexander Turnbull), 1927-2002
    [Book, Audio book : 1994-1996]
  3. Miss Bobbie / by Ethel Turner ; illustrated by Genevieve Rees
    Turner, Ethel, 1870-1958
    [Book, Audio book : 1897-1997]