Francis Steegmuller papers, 1877-2012

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Creator:

Steegmuller, Francis, 1906-1994

Abstract:

Francis Steegmuller (1906-1994) was a novelist, biographer, and translator. He was the author of many works about French culture and literary figures, and a translator of Gustave Flaubert. The papers include correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, printed materials, research materials, and scrapbooks.

Extent:

102.5 linear feet 122 manuscript boxes; 32 record cartons, 2 flat boxes; 2 tube boxes

Language:

English , French .

Scope and content:

Letters from Somerset Maugham, Graham Greene, Edith Sitwell, Adlai Stevenson, and Jacques Lipschitz. Notes and correspondence relating to Steegmuller's books, as well as manuscripts of the books, make up part of the collection. Also, seven scrapbooks of clippings and 37 inscribed books; manuscripts and proofs for his translation of Flaubert's MADAME BOVARY; and two solander cases containing 155 photographs, mounted and inscribed, taken by Steegmuller on his trips to France, 1948, 1950, Italy, 1950, and the Virgin Islands, 1949.

Biographical / historical:

Steegmuller was born on July 3, 1906 in New Haven, Connecticut. He was educated in the public schools of Greenwich, Connecticut, and graduated from Columbia University in 1927. While at Columbia, Steegmuller's friends included Lionel Trilling, Clifton Fadiman, Jacques Barzun, Meyer Shapiro, Richard Snow, and Dwight Minor. After graduation, Steegmuller spent time in Europe, but became disillusioned by events in Germany and Italy in the 1930s and returned home, eventually serving in United States military. After the war, he returned to France, working initially in military intelligence. Steegmuller divided his time between Europe and New York City throughout the rest of his life.

Steegmuller was the author of many works about French culture and literary figures, and a translator of Gustave Flaubert. He was the recipient of many literary honors. He received two National Book Awards: in 1971, for his biography of biography of Jean Cocteau, and in 1981 for his translation for the first volume of Flaubert's complete letters. Steegmuller was awarded a gold medal in biography by the American Academy and Institute of Arts in 1982. He was also a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

Steegmuller's first wife was Beatrice Stein (1899-1961), a painter who was a pupil and friend of Jacques Villon. She suffered from polio, and died in 1961. He married the writer Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016) in 1963.

Steegmuller died in Naples, Italy on October 20, 1994.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Steegmuller, Francis. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1967. Accession number--M-67.

Gifts of Francis Steegmuller and Shirley Hazzard, 1967-2021.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.

Processed Patrick Lawlor 2012.

Material in Boxes 122-126 processed by Catherine C. Ricciardi, 2023.

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library holds the papers of both Francis Steegmuller and his wife, Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016). Many papers are intermingled between the two collections, particularly because correspondence and photographs often involved both Hazzard and Steegmuller as a couple after their marriage in 1963. For the most part, it seems that papers were placed in one collection or the other based upon when they were received at the Library. Material that was given prior to Steegmuller's death in 1994, or shortly thereafter, was mostly added to the Steegmuller papers. Later donations, particularly those received after Hazzard's death, were added to the Hazzard papers, with the exception of a few boxes of additional books, manuscripts, and other material that were clearly related only to Steegmuller. This being the case, certain correspondents are filed with the Steegmuller papers, and others are filed with the Hazzard papers. In addition, the majority of the couple's personal photographs are filed with the Hazzard papers.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into 19 series.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Shirley Hazzard Papers, Rare Book & Manuscript Library

General Manuscripts, Rare Book & Manuscript Library. This collection includes one audio CD, "Audio File Concordance"

Francis Steegmuller collection of Jacques Villon , Yale University.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 1-23 and 2 flat boxes are on-site. The following boxes are located off-site: 24-125 and the 2 tube boxes. You will need to request this material at least five business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized.

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); Francis Steegmuller papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
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

Collection