{"value"=>"<p>From 1916, when he was a student at Harvard, until the end of his life, S. N. Behrman faithfully kept a diary. The pages of these spiral or paper-bound notebooks are filled with entries made in a small hand that is often difficult to read, but which provide fascinating insights on the author's artistry and his personal life. The diaries chronicle Behrman's professional associations, the development of literary themes, the writing and production of plays, as well as his travels, friendships and family affairs. Significant events recorded in the diaries include the beginning of his friendship with English poet Siegfried Sassoon (Box 28, Folder 2), the New York production of his first successful play, <span class=\"title\">The Second Man</span> (Box 28, Folder 10), his reaction to the suicide of his childhood friend and mentor Daniel Asher (Box 28, Folder 13), his marriage to Elza Heiftetz Stone (Box 29, Folder 4), and the last weeks of his life (Box 34, Folder 5).</p>"}