Scope and Contents
The papers document the life and writing of poet and philosopher Benjamin Fondane. Writings include holograph manuscripts of approximately 650 poems, 55 works of prose and 9 playscripts. Prose writings consist chiefly of holograph drafts of short untitled essays or notes (some fragmentary) on topics related to poetry and philosophy. Also included is a holograph draft of Fondane's first book Tagaduinta lui Petru (1918). Poems consist of holograph drafts of original poems and translations, some titled, others untitled. While most of the writings are undated, they appear to date from before 1923, the year Fondane emigrated to France. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) is with Fondane's sisters Lina and Rodica Wechsler, other family members, and the journal Hatikvah. Other papers include a catalog of the avant garde theater group Insula, which Fondane co-founded. Material is chiefly in Romanian; some correspondence is in French.
Dates
- 1912-1943
Creator
Language of Materials
In Romanian and French.
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Existence and Location of Copies
The collection is also available on microfilm.
Conditions Governing Use
The Benjamin Fondane 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
Purchased from Ubu Gallery on the Edwin J. Beinecke Book Fund, 2002.
Arrangement
Organized into two series: I. Writings, 1912-1923. II. Correspondence and Other Papers, 1912-1943.
Extent
1.67 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The papers document the life and writing of poet and philosopher Benjamin Fondane. Writings include holograph manuscripts of approximately 650 poems, 55 works of prose and 9 playscripts. Prose writings consist chiefly of holograph drafts of short untitled essays or notes (some fragmentary) on topics related to poetry and philosophy. Also included is a holograph draft of Fondane's first book Tagaduinta lui Petru (1918). Poems consist of holograph drafts of original poems and translations, some titled, others untitled. While most of the writings are undated, they appear to date from before 1923, the year Fondane emigrated to France. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) is with Fondane's sisters Lina and Rodica Wechsler, other family members, and the journal Hatikvah. Other papers include a catalog of the avant garde theater group Insula, which Fondane co-founded. Material is chiefly in Romanian; some correspondence is in French.
Benjamin Fondane, 1898-1944
Benjamin Fondane, Romanian-French Symbolist poet and philosopher, born Benjamin Wechsler, 1898 in Iaşi, Romania and died 1944 in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Processing Information
The collection is comprised of material formerly classed as: Uncat MSS 356.
Information included in the Description of Papers note and Collection Contents section is drawn from a dealer description and from an initial survey of the contents. This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for revisions in arrangement and description.
- Title
- Guide to the Benjamin Fondane Papers
- Author
- by Lisa Conathan
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.