Draft of Henry Lawson's poem 'The Old Bark School'

Henry Lawson is considered to be one of the most famous writers and poets of the Australian colonial period. Lawson was at the height of his success during the 1890s, when this poem was written.

This early manuscript draft of Henry Lawson's poem 'The Old Bark School' have been collected as part of Harry Chaplin's scrapbook about this poem. This poem went on to be published in The Bulletin 22 May, 1897. While it may appear to be autographed by Lawson, the name was added later by Alfred George Stephens, an editor and publisher of the Bulletin.

The University of Sydney Library holds several scrapbooks about Henry Lawson compiled by Harry Chaplin. These scrapbooks include draft works, IOUs, photographs, short notes, drawings, and letters ranging from Darlinghurst Goal to those between his friends, colleagues, and associates attempting to support him through his struggles with alcohol and mental illness.