Notes, typescript articles, speeches, correspondence, photographs, cards, invitations, programmes. Includes material relating to : Sir Raphael Cilento; University of Queensland events, including Sir Raphael Cilento Oration; Ron Edwards, Jack Lindsay, Patrick White, Douglas Gordon, Percy Trezise. There is also some biographical material about Len and Fedora Fisher.

This collection has correspondence and press cuttings relating to John Bestons' research on Patrick White. Includes letters from many Australian authors, such as Patrick White, Thea Astley, Gwen Harwood, Xavier Herbert, Thomas Keneally, David Malouf, David Williamson and Judith Wright. It contains newspaper cuttings relating to Shirley Hazzard; manuscripts (handwritten and typescript) by John Beston, including the manuscript for 'Patrick White : The search for a life value'. There are seven publications by or relating to Patrick White that have been annotated by John Beston while undertaking his research.

Correspondence with Australian authors, mostly concerning his publication Whales, a celebration (1983) and the Harbourfront Literary Festival in Toronto, Canada.

Research papers relating to Patrick White including correspondence, articles newspaper cuttings of reviews and notes. Correspondence with writers including Thea Astley, Bruce Dawe, Dorothy Green, David Marr, Frank Moorhouse and one folder relating to Helen Darville.