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Walter Lowenfels papers

 Collection
Call Number: YCAL MSS 367
Scope and Contents

The Walter Lowenfels Papers document the life and work of the writer, journalist, editor, activist, and member of the Communist Party USA, Walter Lowenfels. The papers consist of correspondence, writings, writings of others, photographs, personal papers, printed material, and other papers spanning the years 1897-1979, with the bulk of the material dating from 1930-1976.

Correspondence, writings, and writings of others comprise the bulk of the papers. The correspondence records his personal and professional relationships and chronicles his 1953 and 1954 trials for sedition and conspiracy and his publication process. Writings document Lowenfels's work as a writer, editor and anthologist, and include drafts of his prose, poetry, drama, essays, and articles. The writings also document his work for the Pennsylvania edition of the Daily Worker. The writings of others reveal Lowenfel's work editing anthologies and collections of works by other writers.

Photographs include snapshots of Lowenfels, his family and friends, his home and other subjects. Printed material contains clippings, tearsheets, ephemera, and other printed material on Lowenfels and other subjects of his interest. A small amount of personal papers includes biographical information and files on his finances and estate.

Language of Materials

Chiefly in English, some writings in Russian, Spanish, and French.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Boxes 181-184: Restricted fragile material. Reference surrogates have been substituted in the main files. Consult Access Services for further information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Walter Lowenfels Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Manna Lowenfels Perpelitt, 1984.

Arrangement

Organized into six series: I. Correspondence, 1920-1979. II. Writings, 1926-1976. III. Writings of Others, 1941-1976. IV. Photographs, 1897-1975. V. Other Papers, 1931-1976. VI. Printed Material, 1925-1976.

Associated Materials

Printed material received with the collection was removed for separate cataloging and can be accessed by searching the library's online catalog.

Dates
1897 - 1979
Majority of material found within 1930 - 1976
Extent
85.72 Linear Feet (184 boxes)
Related Names
Lowenfels, Walter, 1897-1976
Language of Materials
English
Language of Materials
English
Script
Latin
Language of Materials
Russian
Language of Materials
Spanish; Castilian
Script
Latin
Language of Materials
French
Script
Latin