The papers comprise official and private correspondence, cables, genealogical and biographical papers, legal and financial records, speeches, broadcasts, photographs, newspaper cuttings and memorabilia relating to Lord Gowrie's life and military and public career including his service in Australia as Governor of South Australia (1928-34), Governor of New South Wales (1935-36), and Governor-General of Australia (1936-44). Aspects of the life and work of Gowrie's wife, Zara, and their son, Patrick Hore-Ruthven, are also detailed in the papers. Amongst the fellow governors, politicians, military leaders, monarchs and other prominent individuals, from both Australia and overseas, whose letters can be found in the collection are Lord Kitchener, Joseph and Enid Lyons, Lord Baden Powell, Sir George Murray, Lord Bruce, Stanley Baldwin, Sir John Latham, Sir Keith Officer, F.M. Forde, R.G. Menzies, W.M. Hughes, General Douglas MacArthur, Eamon de Valera, Maie Casey, Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Lloyd Dumas, Sir Earle Page, Sir Robert Garran, Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Montgomery, Ben Chifley, Daisy Bates, Lloyd Rees, Lord Dudley, Joan Hammond, Sir Keith Hancock, May Gibbs, Lady Stonehaven, Ivy Brookes, Lord Slim, Paul Sorensen, Mab Grimwade, Emily Dutton and Sir Philip Game.
