Ida Leeson: A Life

by Sylvia Martin

Ida Leeson was no ordinary librarian. At a time when only men rose to such positions in the Australian library world, she won an epic struggle to become Mitchell Librarian - a position previously held only by men.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2006

About the author

Feminist biographer writing about women neglected in Australian literary and cultural history.

Reviews

[Richard Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ida Lesson is a figure who continues to loom large in Australian library history. Described variously as someone who both typifies the stereotypical librarian and broke the mould when she entered the field, she is unquestionably a groundbreaking person in the national history of librarianship. Martin engagingly describes her early career through to her appointment as the first female Mitchell Librarian, the first woman to achieve a senior librarianship position in the country! Martin traces her expansion of the State Library of New South Wales’ collection, her battles both professional and personal, her career in the Army (where she became a major) and her later life. Leeson was in a committed relationship with a New Zealand woman named Florence Birch for over fifty years, although we know so little about this: her family destroyed all of her papers following her death. It may not be a fascinating read for all audiences, but as a professional librarian who can see the legacy of her work every day, it’s an amazing read.

[emily wind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Ida Leeson until the recent World Pride exhibit at the State Library of NSW. On display was a photo of Ida and this book, plus a small blurb - I was instantly fascinated and tracked down a copy as soon as I could. Safe to say, I thought it was marvellous.

Sylvia Martin is such a talented biographer and it was such a joy to learn about Ida’s life, career and love, and explore Sydney in the early 20th century. I found the book truly educational and Ida + Florence’s story in particular had a big impact on me.

There was a quote on display at the World Pride exhibit which read, “The ability to see yourself in the past is essential to forming a sense of belonging in the world. Predecessors confirm that you are not alone in history” (Archie Barry). That is how this book made me feel - less alone in history. My sincere thanks to Sylvia for writing this, I’m so eager to read more of her books!

[Velvetink · Rating 3 out of 5]

op shop find