Justin O'Brien papers, 1925-1968

Creator:: O'Brien, Justin, 1906-1968, Sarraute, Nathalie, Sartre, Jean-Paul, 1905-1980, and Baidouy
Extent:: 53 boxes 53 boxes
Language:: French , English .
Scope and content:: Correspondence with André Gide, the manuscripts and notes for his biography PORTRAIT OF ANDRÉ GIDE, and for his translations of the JOURNALS OF ANDRÉ GIDE, SO BE IT, and PRETEXTS, and other notes and articles about André Gide. Also, correspondence with many contemporary French writers including Albert Camus, Jean Cocteau, Julian Green, Valéry Larbaud, Jean Malaquais, Roger Martin du Gard, André Maurois, Henry de Montherlant, and Georges Simenon. Prof. O'Brien translated works by Baidouy, Albert Camus, Jean Cocteau, Henry de Montherlant, Nathalie Sarraute, and Jean-Paul Sartre; the typescript of Camus' L'EXILE ET LE ROYAUME is of special interest. Professor O'Brien's files cover a broad range of French culture including correspondence with other French scholars, educational organizations, editors, publishers (notably Blanche W. Knopf), with members of the OSS in wartime France, and with other literary figures such as Gilbert Highet, Dwight Macdonald, and Klaus Mann.
Biographical / historical:: O'Brien was a professor of French at Columbia University (1931-1968). He was a well-known translator of modern French literature, particularly of André Gide and Albert Camus, and was also a noted authority on French drama.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--O'Brien, Justin. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-69.

Source of acquisition--O'Brien, Mrs. Justin. Method of acquisition--Gift (1973, 1978, 1982); Accession number--M-73,M-78,M-82.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 08/--/89.

Cataloged Lynn A. Grove 03/16/90.

Arrangement:

Cataloged and listed.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Separated material:

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library has separately cataloged the Gallimard edition of the works of André Gide (15 volumes) that was received with this collection. These volumes may be requested through the catalog record here.

Alternative form available:

Benedetto Croce correspondence is also available on microfilm. See MN# 3600-1. The microfilm also includes Croce letters and manuscripts from other collections.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

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.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Justin O'Brien papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

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Collection