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Creator
Lieberman, Elias, 1883-1969
Call number
MssCol 1755
Physical description
7 linear feet (14 boxes, 23 v., 2 packages)
Language
Materials in English
Preferred Citation

Elias Lieberman papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Elias Lieberman (1883-1969), educator and poet, was born in Russia but emigrated to the U.S. as a child. He worked in the New York City school system as a teacher, principal and associate superintendent of schools. His published works included books of poetry and articles and stories on the life of immigrants in American society. He also was editor of Puck, 1916, and literary editor of The American Hebrew, 1916-1932. Collection consists of correspondence, writings, teaching and student records, financial papers, photographs, phonograph recording, scrapbooks, and printed matter pertaining to Lieberman's activities as poet, writer and teacher. Correspondence, ca. 1910-1970, is letters from readers of his works, from colleagues, and from editors and publishers. Writings include scripts of published poems, 1912-1968; unpublished poems; a play; and a few articles and short stories; notebooks; and diaries, 1909-1915, 1921-1969. Other materials include memorabilia of his teaching career; his papers as a public school and college student; financial records; memoranda books, 1937-1966; and printed matter such as scrapbooks of clippings, periodicals containing his poems, and copies of his books. Also, photographs, phonograph recording of Lieberman reading his poems, and academic diplomas.

Biographical/historical information

Elias Lieberman (1883-1969), educator and poet, was born in Russia and came to the U. S. when he was seven years old. After graduation from City College he began his career as a teacher at P. S. 62 In New York. Subsequently, he taught at Bushwick High School and at Thomas Jefferson High School where he was principal. In 1940 he was appointed associate superintendent of schools, a post which he held until his retirement in 1953. Lieberman also published many poems and books of poetry, his most famous poem being "I Am An American". He was editor of Puck (1916), and literary editor of The American Hebrew (1916-1932). He also published many articles on the social life of the Lower East Side, the Jew in American society, and the problems of Americanization.

Scope and arrangement

The collection consists of letters, manuscripts, diaries, notebooks, teaching and student records, financial records, scrapbooks and printed material pertaining to Lieberman's activities as a poet, writer and teacher.

The letters received (circa 1910-1970) series contain letters from readers of his works, from teachers and colleagues expressing admiration and congratulation, and from editors and publishers requesting permission to reprint his poems. The arrangement is in part chronological, and in part subject order. The writings include scripts of published poems (1912-1968), unpublished poems, a play, and a few articles and short stories. Following the writings are 12 notebooks containing notes and ideas for poems and a few poems in draft form. There are 60 pocket sized diaries (1909-1915, 1921-1969) containing mainly brief jottings of social and professional engagements, although after 1953 the diaries are more narrative in form. The miscellaneous file contains memorabilia (photographs, printed ephemera, a few letters from students, awards, licenses) of his teaching career, his papers as a student at elementary school (1892-1898), high school and college, and papers relating to his membership in clubs. Financial records include vouchers recording payment for mss. sold and 15 manuscript record books giving the title of the ms., place and date of publication, and the amount received. There are also a few memorandum books (1937-1966) containing personal accounts. Printed material consists of clippings (mounted & loose) of his published poems (1952-1969), his "Topics of the Times" columns in the New York Times, copies of his books, of anthologies, and of periodicals containing his poems. There are 22 scrapbook volumes of clippings of his poems, short stories, articles on the Lower East Side, the Jew in America, and Americanization, and reviews of his books (with a few letters mounted in the 1950s vols.). The Oversize materials contain photographs (single & group), a phonograph recording of EL reading his poems, and academic diplomas.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

November 30, 1978, Received from Mrs. Elias (Rose K.) Lieberman

Processing information

Accessioned by J. D. Stinson, April 2, 1982

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328