Peggy Biderman photographs of Gregory Corso, undated

Collection context

Creator:
Biderman, Peggy
Abstract:
Photographs taken by Peggy Biderman of poet Gregory Corso, with his family and friends, including his son Max Corso, and poets Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
Extent:
0.25 linear feet 1 box
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The collection is comprised of recent color prints, mostly on matte paper, made from photographs of poet Gregory Corso taken by Peggy Biderman, probably in the late-1970s, in New York City and San Francisco, though some may have been taken in other locations. The collection includes photographs of Corso with poets Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, with Corso's son Max (born in 1976), and with an unidentified woman who appears to be Max's surrogate mother and Corso's companion, Lisa Brinker. Other photographs depict Corso reading poetry, in front of the Chelsea Hotel, and in casual situations with friends. The collection is arranged into folders according to designations made on the photographs, which seem to correspond to shoots or discrete events.

Biographical / historical:

Peggy Biderman was born Peggy Klyman in New York City in 1926. During the late-1950s she was a member of the pacifist Committee for Non-Violent Action, and participated in sit-ins and other civil rights activities in Florida, organized by the Congress for Racial Equality. Beginning in 1965, Biderman lived in the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, where she met and became close friends with painter and experimental filmmaker Harry Smith, Beat poets Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso, visual artists Mary Beach and Claude Pelieu, musician and poet Patti Smith, and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Biderman also worked at the Museum of Modern Art. She lived at the Chelsea Hotel until the late-1970s, when she moved to San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood. She died of cancer in San Francisco at age 64 in July 1991.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron. All ninety-one photographs are copyrighted and not to be published without the permission of Beth Biderman or her heirs.

All ninety-one photographs are copyrighted and not to be published without the permission of Beth Biderman or her heirs.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Peggy Biderman Photographs of Gregory Corso; Box and Folder (if known); Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu