Papers include correspondence, diaries, notebooks, legal briefs, press cuttings, pamphlets, books, official documents and publications, menus, programmes, literary manuscripts, bills, receipts, photographs and tourist publications. Deakin corresponded with international, national, state and local politicians, Sir Edmund Barton among them. The collection documents the moves towards Federation and the early Commonwealth ministries. Correspondents also include Lord Tennyson, Lord Northcote, R.E. O'Connor, Richard Jebb, L.S. Amery, R.M. Collins, Sir Walter James, Sir William Lyne, Arthur Jose, David Syme, B.R. Wise, Sir Samuel Griffith, Sir Josiah Symon, Sir John Quick and Hubert Murray. Family papers include letters from his parents, sister (Catherine), wife, daughters and son-in-law Herbert Brookes.

Created by Julia Rapke
Manuscript drafts of biographical papers on the following: Anderson, Mary (11 p.); Brennan, Jennie (7 p.); Couchman, Dame Elizabeth May Ramsay (13 p.); Deakin's daughters, Brookes and Ivy Deakin; Rivett, Stella (Deakin) Lady; White, Vera (Deakin) Lady (14 p.); Goldstein, Vida (21 p.); Holman, May (16 p.); James, Britomarte (23 p.); Lyons, Dame Enid (17 p.); Rich, Ruby (19 p.); Rischbieth, Bessie Mabel (36 p.); Sweet, Georgina (22 p.); Waterworth, Edith (16 p.); Woinarski, Gertrude Zichy- (10 p.); Young, Jeanne (10 p.).