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Creator
Sarton, May, 1912-1995
Call number
Berg Coll MSS Sarton
Physical description
47 linear feet (188 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library

Requests for reproduction and/or permission to quote must be made in writing to the Curator and be accompanied by Estate permission.

Repository
Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The May Sarton Papers at the Berg Collection cover the years 1846-1995 (bulk dates 1920-1995) and are housed in 188 boxes (47 linear feet), plus oversized material. They include manuscripts, correspondence, personal notebooks, artwork, handmade collections, anthologies and commonplace books as well as family papers and photographs. They also include professional papers, theater-related materials, translations, and work inspired by May Sarton.

Biographical/historical information

Eleanor May Sarton was born May 2, 1912 in Wondelgem, Belgium and raised in Cambridge, MA. She was the daughter of George Sarton, the historian of science, and Eleanor Mabel Elwes Sarton, an artist and designer.

May Sarton began her career in theater, first as an apprentice in Eva Le Gallienne's Civic Repertory Theatre in New York (1929-34) and then as the founder and director of the Associated Actors Theatre (1934-37). She published her first book, a volume of poetry entitled Encounter in April, in 1937 and her first novel, The Single House, in 1938. Her works also include journals and film scripts.

Throughout her career Sarton taught, read and lectured extensively across the United States. She received awards and grants from the Poetry Society of America, The Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation. In addition, she received the American Book Award and honorary doctorates from Bates College, Colby College, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Maine, Bowdoin College, Union College and Bucknell University among others.

She died on July 16, 1995.

Scope and arrangement

The May Sarton Papers at the Berg Collection cover the years 1846 - 1995 (bulk dates 1920 - 1995) and are housed in 188 boxes (47 linear feet). They include manuscripts, correspondence, personal notebooks, artwork, handmade collections, anthologies and commonplace books as well as family papers and photographs. They also include professional papers, theater-related materials, translations, and work inspired by May Sarton.

For additional Sarton material, including manuscripts, journals, correspondence, and portraits, see the Berg Collection card catalog (Room 320), or the Dictionary Catalog of the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1969, 5 vols., plus 2 supplements published in 1975 and 1983, available in many research libraries. Most of the material described in the card catalog was puchased in 1972 from May Sarton and complements the material described in this guide.

The May Sarton Papers are arranged in seventeen series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The Berg Collection first purchased manuscript material from May Sarton in January 1972. This material has been described in our card catalog which can be accessed at the Berg Collection (Room 320) or via the Dictionary Catalog of the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1969, 5 vols., plus 2 supplements published in 1975 and 1983, available at many research libraries.

Between 1972 and May Sarton's death in 1995, the Berg Collection continued to acquire individual manuscripts or letters by gift and purchase. Many of these items are included in this guide with a separate source note.

The bulk of the material described in this guide came to the Berg Collection as a bequest of May Sarton's estate in 1996. It complements the material described in our card catalog and researchers are strongly encouraged to consult the card catalog in addition to this guide.

Processing information

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Related Material

For additional Sarton material, including manuscripts, journals, correspondence, and portraits, see the Berg Collection card catalog (Room 320), or the Dictionary Catalog of the Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1969, 5 vols., plus 2 supplements published in 1975 and 1983, available in many research libraries. Most of the material described in the card catalog was puchased in 1972 from May Sarton and complements the material described in this guide

Using the collection

Location

Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Third Floor, Room 320

Access restrictions

Access to the collection is restricted to qualified scholars and researchers through the Office of Special Collections, Room 316.