Herbert Gold papers, 1951-1984

Creator:

Gold, Herbert, 1924-

Abstract:

This collection contains personal and professional correspondence to and from Herbert Gold, and manuscripts and proofs of his written works, from 1951-1984.

Extent:

1 linear feet 2 document boxes

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

The Herbert Gold Collection consists of correspondence and manuscript drafts. Most of the correspondence is between Gold and his editor, Seymour Lawrence between 1951 and 1960. However, letters to and from Gold and various persons are also included. Seven manuscript drafts, summaries, and proofs are located in this collection.

Biographical / historical:

Jewish-American novelist Herbert Gold was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 9th, 1924. Gold is the first of five children; his father, Samuel Gold, was a Russian immigrant who struggled to adjust to his life in America. Gold is well known for his novels, short stories, and literary articles, but during his early career he also studied and taught philosophy.

Herbert Gold began writing in elementary school, and later he wrote for the school newspaper at Lakewood High School. Shortly after high school, Gold attended Columbia University to study philosophy, but his education was interrupted from 1942-1946 when he served in the United States Army. After graduating from Columbia in 1946, Gold traveled to Paris to continue his study of philosophy on a Fulbright scholarship; it was during this time that Gold completed his first novel, Birth of a Hero. Gold returned to Cleveland in 1951 to teach philosophy at the Western Reserve University until 1953.

In addition to over 20 novels, Gold has published numerous short stories and articles that have appeared in both popular and literary magazines. His autobiography, My Last Two Thousand Years, was published in 1972. Gold wrote about his country, his Jewish heritage, and the beat movement; common themes in his work include American identity, power, money, and sex. His works were both praised and ridiculed. Herbert Gold traveled a lot, and lived in Haiti, Detroit, Ohio, and New York. He eventually settled down in San Francisco, where he currently resides. Gold was married twice, and is a father of 5, and a grandfather of 6.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Gold, Herbert. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-1969.

Custodial history:

Gift of the author, 1969.

Processing information:

Processed PL 01/--/89.

Papers Robyn Hjermstad, Pratt Institute, 2011 processed 09/--/2010.

Finding aid Robyn Hjermstad, Pratt Institute, 2011 written 09/--2010.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 2 series. Materials in each folder are arranged chronologically.

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

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Single photocopies 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); Herbert Gold papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

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Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection