- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"45 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"86 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1938-2002", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1938/2002"}
- date_inclusive_start
-
1938
- date_inclusive_end
-
2002
- keydate
-
1938
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"Doris Grumbach papers"}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. <span class=\"subarea\">Manuscripts and Archives Division</span></span> <div class=\"address\"> <span class=\"addressline\">New York, New York</span></div>"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>"The papers document the professional career and personal life of Doris Grumbach, novelist, writer, literary critic, and educator."}
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"<p>Doris Grumbach Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.</p>"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"Grumbach, Doris", "type"=>"persname"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p>Doris Grumbach, the novelist, biographer and literary critic was born on July 12, 1918 in New York City to Leonard William and Helen (Oppenheimer) Isaac. She spent her childhood in Manhattan. In elementary school she was an outstanding student, skipping many grades until she entered high school at age eleven. At this young age, however, she was not adequately prepared for secondary education; she lost her self- confidence, developed a stammer, and on the advice of her teachers took a year off. After reentering high school she placed little effort into her studies and spent more time in the theater than in the classroom. Despite her poor grades she won a citywide short story contest in her senior year. This caught the attention of Rudolph Kagey, a professor at Washington Square College of New York University who campaigned for her admission.</p> <p>She excelled in college, majoring in philosophy and earning election to Phi Beta Kappa. In 1939 she entered the graduate program in English at Cornell University where she received a Master of Arts degree in medieval literature the following year. It was at Cornell that she met her husband, Leonard Grumbach, who was earning a doctorate in neurophysiology. The two were married on October 5, 1941 and settled in Manhattan. From 1940 to 1941 Grumbach worked for Lowe's, Inc./MGM writing subtitles for films distributed abroad. She then worked (1941-42) as a proofreader for <span class=\"title\">Mademoiselle</span> magazine, and for <span class=\"title\">Architectural Forum</span> (1942-43) in several capacities, from proofreader to associate editor. During this time her husband was drafted to fight in World War II. In 1943 Grumbach decided to join him in California, but then soon left to join the Navy as an officer in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).</p> <p>After the war the Grumbachs moved around the country as Leonard pursued his career as a professor of physiology. They also started their family which eventually included four daughters, Barbara, Jane, Elizabeth, and Kathryn. The family finally settled in Albany, New York where Leonard Grumbach taught at Albany Medical College. In 1957 Grumbach also began teaching junior and senior English at the Albany Academy for Girls. In 1960 she took a position as professor of English at the College of Saint Rose where she remained for eleven years. It was during this time that Grumbach began her writing career. Her first books, <span class=\"title\">The Spoil of the Flowers</span>, and <span class=\"title\">The Short Throat, The Tender Mouth</span>, were published in 1962 and 1964, respectively.</p> <p>In 1971 after raising her children, Grumbach left her husband and spent a year in Saratoga Springs, New York helping to set up the external degree program at Empire State College. She then accepted a position at <span class=\"title\">The New Republic</span> as literary editor. Moving to Washington, D.C., she worked for the magazine for two years writing a column entitled \"Fine Print\". When the magazine was sold she lost her job. She remained in Washington, however, and accepted a position as professor of American literature at American University. She also began a nonfiction column for The <span class=\"title\">New York Times Book Review</span>, and her column \"Fine Print\" was picked up by the <span class=\"title\">Saturday Review</span>. During this time Grumbach continued to write books. In 1976 she published a literary biography of Mary McCarthy entitled <span class=\"title\">The Company She Kept</span>, and in 1979 she published her first novel <span class=\"title\">Chamber Music</span> which established her reputation as a novelist. Other books followed: <span class=\"title\">The Missing Person</span> (1981), <span class=\"title\">The Ladies</span>, and <span class=\"title\">The Magician's Girl</span> (1987). During this period Grumbach also taught at the Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa where she helped young writers develop their literary skills. She also provided numerous book reviews for the \"Morning Edition\" of National Public Radio, and the televised \"McNeil-Lehrer Newshour.\"</p> <p>In the mid-1980s Grumbach resigned her professorship at American University. She remained in Washington, however, for five more years during which time she and her partner in business and in life, Sybil Pike, opened a bookstore for used books entitled Wayward Books. In 1990 Grumbach and her partner moved their bookstore and themselves to Sargentville, Maine where Grumbach has continued to live and to write. Her more recent publications have included her memoirs,<span class=\"title\"> Coming Into the End Zone</span> (1991), <span class=\"title\">Extra Innings</span> (1993), <span class=\"title\">Fifty Days of Solitude</span> (1994), and<span class=\"title\"> The Book of Knowledge</span> (1995).</p>"}
- custodhist
-
{"value"=>"<p>A portion of the Grumbach Papers were put on deposit in 1984 at the Alderman Library, University of Virginia, Charlotteville, Virginia. In 1996, Mrs. Grumbach asked that these papers be transferred to the New York Public Library.</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The papers contain incoming correspondence to Doris Grumbach from authors, writers, editors, publishers, journalists, academic and professional colleagues, readers of her books, friends and acquaintances; topical files reflecting her varied literary and professional activities and associations; holograph and typescript drafts, page and galley proofs of her published books; holograph drafts and typescripts of articles, reviews, speeches and lectures; interviews by her, and of her; diaries and notebooks recording her social, literary and professional life and activities; personal miscellany including certificates, diplomas, her master's thesis, and broadsides announcing her lectures; printed matter and sound recordings.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The Doris Grumbach papers are arranged in eleven series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c190726'>Series I. Correspondence</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1961- 2002</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The correspondence, which is both personal and professional, is arranged into four subseries: A. Chronological; B. Alphabetical; C. Books; D. The New Republic</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c190846'>Series II. Topical Files</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1951-2001; n.d.</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 22-31</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series contains correspondence and collateral papers arranged alphabetically by topic or organizational title, reflecting Grumbach's wide-ranging literary, academic, and professional activities and associations. The contents document her participation at academic and writers' conferences and workshops, book publishing events, book award ceremonies, memorial services, and her residency at writers' colonies. Included are papers relating to her teaching career and academic positions at the College of Saint Rose (Albany, New York), American University (Washington, D.C.), the University of Iowa's Writer's Workshop, and Sewanee, the University of the South. Included are files relating to her participation in the PEN/Faulkner annual literary awards, the Carey Thomas Publishing Award, the Ernest Hemingway Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Awards. There are also papers relating to her membership on the advisory council of the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Many files contain handwritten notes recording her observations, impressions, criticisms and evaluations of conferences, workshops and awards ceremonies in which she participated or attended. The files contain a relatively high proportion of papers collateral to correspondence including notes, minutes, memoranda, reports, announcements, programs, agenda, flyers, and brochures.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c190976'>Series III. Writings</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 32-73</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The writings by Doris Grumbach are arranged into three subseries: A. Books; B. Articles, Essays, Introductions; and C. Reviews.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191337'>Series IV. Speeches/Lectures</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1972-2002; n.d.</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 74-75</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The speeches/lectures, which are arranged chronologically, were delivered by Grumbach at various venues including colleges, universities, libraries, churches, conferences, forums and workshops. The files contain manuscript and typescript drafts; correspondence with sponsoring agencies; invitations, programs, brochures, clippings and other ephemera. Included are lectures on contemporary American fiction, Mark Twain, and Willa Cather delivered in Europe under the sponsorship of the United States Information Agency.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191382'>Series V. Interviews</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1966-1996</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 76-77</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series, which is arranged chronologically, consists of interviews conducted by Grumbach; and interviews with her conducted by various persons.</p><p>Series XI. Sound and Video Recordings contains audiotapes of interviews by and with Grumbach.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191403'>Series VI. Diaries/Notebooks</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1962- 1987</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 78-79</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The diaries/notebooks kept by Grumbach, which span the period 1962-1987; n.d., are contained in twenty-four numbered memorandum books and loose- leaf binders (ca.13x20 cm.). The entries are made with ball point pen in a hand which varies from clear and legible, to cramped and difficult. The entries recording daily social life and activities are frequently discontinuous and interspersed with notes of meetings and conferences attended, sojourns at writers' colonies, ideas for books and articles, quotes from readings, research notes, introspections, and miscellaneous jottings. A brief summary of the contents of the volumes follows.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191428'>Series VII. Personal Miscellaneous Papers</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1938-1998; n.d.</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Box 80</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series consists of miscellaneous personal papers of Grumbach arranged topically. Included are biographical papers; an inventory and appraisal of her Mark Twain collection which she donated to the Miller Library at Colby College; a printed notice of a memorial service for Leonard Grumbach with a typescript of her remarks on that occasion; a bound carbon copy of her thesis, \"Chaucer's Official Life, 1374-1386\" presented for the degree of Master of Arts at Cornell University, June 17, 1940; papers relating to the honorary doctorate awarded to her by the University of Maine; and two copies of <span class=\"title\">The Washington Square College Review</span> (Dec. 1938, v. 3, no. 2; Feb 1939, v. 3, no. 3) edited by her. Included also are contact prints of Grumbach taken while she was lecturing; a photograph of her taken in 1972; a birthday card (1998) containing printed photos of her and of her grandchildren taken at various periods in her life; a group photo of a birthday celebration taken in her later years; and miscellaneous unidentified photos of individuals and groups.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191443'>Series VIII. Printed Matter</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1942- 2000</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Boxes 81-83</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series consists of an alphabetical file of issues of publications many of which contain articles or reviews by Grumbach; a file of miscellaneous reprints of articles by other authors; and a file of printed matter arranged chronologically. Included are one (or more) issues of <span class=\"title\">American</span>; <span class=\"title\">Cityscape, A Journal of Urban Life</span>; <span class=\"title\">The New Republic</span>; and the <span class=\"title\">Saturday Review</span>.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191463'>Series IX. Oversized Materials</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1939-1987; n.d.</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Box 84</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series consists of oversized broadsheets, certificates, diplomas, and posters.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191477'>Series X. Restricted Materials</a></div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Box 85</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series consists of two folders of correspondence withdrawn from Boxes 13 and 24 and restricted for a period of twenty-five years, or until the year 2028:</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/1261#c191480'>Series XI. Sound and Video Recordings</a></div>\n<div class='series-date'>1966- 1994; n.d.</div>\n<div class='series-extent'>Box 86</div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series chiefly contains recordings of interviews with Grumbach and those conducted by her as well as tapes of Grumbach reading her fiction and book reviews.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
- arrangement
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Doris Grumbach Papers are organized in the following series:</p> <p>Series I. Correspondence, 1961-2002; Series II. Topical Files, 1951-2001; n.d.; Series III. Writings; Series IV. Speeches/Lectures, 1972-2002; n.d.; Series V. Interviews, 1966- 1996; Series VI. Diaries/Notebooks, 1962-1987; Series VII. Personal Miscellaneous Papers, 1938-1998; n.d.; Series VIII. Printed Matter, 1942-2000; Series IX. Oversized Materials, 1939-1987; n.d.; Series X. Restricted Materials; Series XI. Sound and Video Recordings, 1966-1994; n.d..</p>", "supress_display"=>true}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Donated by Doris Grumbach, 1995-2003</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by John D. Stinson; machine readable finding aid created by FAKER.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by Kristen Thomas Clarke, 1996; and by Sharon Sparrow, 1999; revised by John D. Stinson 2003.</p>"}
- accessrestrict
-
{"value"=>"<p>Box 85 contains two folders of restricted papers.</p>"}
- userestrict
-
{"value"=>"<p>Doris Grumbach retains copyright to her own papers.</p>"}
- unitid
-
{"value"=>"MssCol 1261", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"1261", "type"=>"local_mss"}
- langmaterial
-
{"value"=>"English"}
- extent_statement
-
45 linear feet (86 boxes)
- date_start
-
1938
- date_end
-
2002