Margaret Atwood is one of the most influential literary voices of our time. Long before The Handmaid's Tale became a global phenomenon, she was a young poet publishing small editions through independent presses.
Earlier this year an exceptionally rare edition of Atwood's The Circle Game (1964) found its home in the University of Sydney Library's Rare Books and Special Collections. Now proudly on display, its journey here was made possible by the legacy of one remarkable woman: Jean Whyte.
As a pioneering figure in Australian librarianship, Jean was a passionate advocate for collections. Colleagues recalled her ability to spark what one later described as “library mania” - an infectious enthusiasm for the role libraries play in advancing ideas and opportunities.
She worked at the University Library between 1959 and 1972, during a pivotal period in its history when today’s Fisher Library was built. It was a time of growth and ambition, and Jean was at the heart of it. She helped shape a library culture that valued learning and discovery, leaving a mark that can still be felt today.
Now, through her generous bequest, the Library is able to acquire unique and significant works for its renowned Rare Books and Special Collections. As one of the largest collections of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, it serves as a living resource for teaching, research and community engagement, connecting students and the wider community with original works that bring history and literary ideas to life. Atwood’s The Circle Game is one such work.
First published in 1964, The Circle Game was Atwood's second published work and one of her earliest major poetry collections. It later won Canada's prestigious Governor General's Award and helped establish the literary voice that would make her one of the world's most celebrated authors.
The copy of The Circle Game now housed in the University’s collection is especially significant, as it’s an Artists’ Proof of the first edition, signed by both Atwood and illustrator Charles Pachter.
"Rare books are most powerful when they connect people directly with history," said Julie Sommerfeldt, Manager of Cultural Collections Curation. "Holding a first edition like The Circle Game allows students and researchers to engage with primary source material in a way that simply isn't possible through later reproductions or digital copies."
A legacy that continues to grow
Illustration from Margaret Atwood's 'The Circle Game'. Credit: Vanessa Low/ University of Sydney.
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LinkJean Whyte's bequest helps ensure the University's Rare Books and Special Collections continue to evolve, preserving works that tell stories across literature, history, science, religion and culture. Other acquisitions supported by her legacy include:
- A 1792 first edition of Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
- Voyage Round the World (1836), a rare educational board game tracing global exploration
- A 16th-century Spanish Antiphonal manuscript used in Holy Week liturgy.
Together, these acquisitions reflect Jean's lasting commitment to preserving knowledge and culture for future generations.
Acquiring works of this significance requires both vision and support. While Jean Whyte's bequest helped bring The Circle Game to the University, its acquisition was also part-supported by funds from the Friends of the Library. Together these contributions reflect the collective generosity of those who care deeply about the Library and its collections. Through their support, the Rare Books and Special Collections continues to grow.
For students, researchers and the wider community, this means access to rare original works that enrich learning and inspire new lines of inquiry.
"Opportunities to acquire works of this significance don't come along often," says Sommerfeldt. "Our focus is always on building collections that inspire curiosity, support research and reflect diverse voices. Gifts such as Jean Whyte's allow us to respond when important works become available and ensure they can be preserved, studied and enjoyed by future generations."
An accomplished poet who also printed her own work, Jean understood that libraries are more than repositories of books. They are places where ideas are preserved, discovered and shared across generations. There is a certain poetry in the fact that her legacy has helped secure an early work by Margaret Atwood, another writer whose literary influence would extend far beyond the pages of her books.
Both women shared a belief in the power of the written word, and through this remarkable acquisition their stories are now linked in a lasting way.
Margaret Atwood's signature on the inside of The Circle Game. Credit: Vanessa Low/ University of Sydney
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LinkExplore the collections
Many supporters choose to leave a gift in their Will to an area of the University that reflects their own passions and values. For some, that includes the University Library and its Rare Books and Special Collections.
To learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, or to arrange a special viewing of the collections, please contact the Planned Giving team.
Hero Image: Vanessa Low/ University of Sydney