Cultural Philanthropy David Scott Mitchell and the Mitchell Library
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Cultural Philanthropy David Scott Mitchell and the Mitchell Library Submitted by Eileen Chanin B.A., M.Ed. (Hons) This thesis is submitted to the School of Art History and Art Education at the University of New South Wales in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2012 University of New South Wales New South Wales Australia PLEASE TYPE THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Chanin First name: Eileen Other name/s: Anne Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: Art History and Education Faculty: College of Fine Arts Title: Cultural Philanthropy, David Scott Mitchell and the Mitchell Library Abstract 350 words maximum: (PLEASE TYPE The bequest from David Scott Mitchell made possible the foundation of Sydney’s Mitchell Library. Earlier accounts have called into question Mitchell’s philanthropic impulse. Opinion ranges from seeing Mitchell as a principal turn-of-the-century benefactor to questioning that he even be considered a philanthropist. Accounts of David Scott Mitchell have so far failed to fully explain the historic and cultural context for his gift. This study investigates Mitchell’s life and times and the context of the culture of philanthropy which so influenced his gift. Misunderstanding of Mitchell stemmed from scant documentation and historical biases, such that he is both legendary and has been misread. Case study format is used to review his history and to recalibrate the truth about him, his motivation and milieu. Evidence from his collection, matched with other documentation, reveals and surveys the philanthropic legacy that Mitchell inherited from his forebears, the understandings and practices of philanthropy in his circle, and the network of ideas concerning benefaction that he knew. Analysis of his altruism in its historical context locates a more dynamic and textured truth than was previously accepted about him. It overturns misunderstanding and shows the deep purpose, and interest in Sydney’s future, that lay behind his generosity. The underlying reasons for benevolent activism such as library benefaction at the turn of the twentieth century has been explained in terms of economic motives and of social control. The experience of David Scott Mitchell illustrates that cultural philanthropy is more complex than these explanations suggest. He inherited understandings of benefaction; experienced the culture of giving that existed during his lifetime – particularly that which existed within his circle; and marked cultural philanthropy. His history, and that of his ‘civilizing mission’, offers perspective on practices and understandings of benefaction as they evolved through the nineteenth into the early twentieth century. 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I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.’ Signed …………………………………………….............. Date ……………………………………………................. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed ……………………………………………........................... Date …………………………………………….............................. AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ Signed ……………………………………………........................... Dated ……………………………………………........................... Abstract The bequest from David Scott Mitchell made possible the foundation of Sydney’s Mitchell Library. Earlier accounts have called into question Mitchell’s philanthropic impulse. Opinion ranges from seeing Mitchell as a principal turn-of-the-century benefactor to questioning that he even be considered a philanthropist. Accounts of David Scott Mitchell have so far failed to fully explain the historic and cultural context for his gift. This study investigates Mitchell’s life and times and the context of the culture of philanthropy which so influenced his gift. Misunderstanding of Mitchell stemmed from scant documentation and historical biases, such that he is both legendary and has been misread. Case study format is used to review his history and to recalibrate the truth about him, his motivation and milieu. Evidence from his collection, matched with other documentation, reveals and surveys the philanthropic legacy that Mitchell inherited from his forebears, the understandings and practices of philanthropy in his circle, and the network of ideas concerning benefaction that he knew. Analysis of his altruism in its historical context locates a more dynamic and textured truth than was previously accepted about him. It overturns misunderstanding and shows the deep purpose, and interest in Sydney’s future, that lay behind his generosity. The underlying reasons for benevolent activism such as library benefaction at the turn of the twentieth century has been explained in terms of economic motives and of social control. The experience of David Scott Mitchell illustrates that cultural philanthropy is more complex than these explanations suggest. He inherited understandings of benefaction; experienced the culture of giving that existed during his lifetime – particularly that which existed within his circle; and marked cultural philanthropy. His history, and that of his ‘civilizing mission’, offers perspective on practices and understandings of benefaction as they evolved through the nineteenth into the early twentieth century. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………..i List of Appendices……………………………………………………………...iii Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………..iv Notes………………………………………………………………………….....vi Chapter 1 Introduction…………………………………………………………1 Chapter 2 Charting Knowledge: Literature Review………………………...14 2.1 Views about Mitchell……………………………………………….15 2.2 Conceptions of Philanthropy..…………………………………….. 27 2.3 Inter-related issues required in research on Mitchell………………40 2.4 Building the public sphere in civil society……………………….... 54 Chapter 3 Methodology………………………………………………………..68 Section One Family Years 1836-1873 Chapter 4 Cultural Inheritance: Inherited Understandings of Assistance…93 4.1 Inherited background: Family philanthropic tradition………………94 4.2 Cultural influences: Associational culture and ties to philanthropy…………………………………………………………111 4.3 ‘Self-Help’ and communitarian ethos: The shape of progress………123 4.4 The Voluntary principle: cooperatives and mutual aid groups……...129 Chapter 5 Cultural Reflection: The Culture of Giving……………………...142 5.1 Forces of change, individualism and collectivism…………………..142 5.2 Building a common culture………………………………………….148 5.3 Common culture of learning…………………………………………149