George Bogin papers, 1938-1997, bulk 1953-1988

Summary Information

Abstract

The papers of George Bogin consist primarily of drafts and typescripts of his poetry and translations. Also included is correspondence, biographical material, and a copy of the musical score for Lloyd Ultan's Pitchipoi, The Children of Drancy, which incorporated Bogin's poem, "Pitchipoi."

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1447
Bib ID:
6620304 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Bogin, George
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
4.62 linear feet (11 boxes 1 oversized musical score)
Language(s):
English , Italian , French .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

Flat Box # 739 is located on-site

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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

Bogin's papers consist primarily of drafts and typescripts of his poetry and translations, but also include correspondence, biographical materials, and a copy of the musical score for Lloyd Ultan's "Pitchipoi, The Children of Drancy", which incorporated Bogin's poem "Pitchipoi.".

The strength of the papers is in their documentation of Bogin's work on poetry and translations. Bogin was well-organized in his creative process; most of his individual drafts are labeled with titles, dates, and a place of composition. Multiple drafts are also numbered in sequence. Most of the drafts are filed by title, although there are a few typescripts for larger collections. Bogin planned to publish a second book, and although there is no typescript, there is a list of the poems meant for this work filed in Box 11. There are a few published items from his time at Columbia University (1938-1939), otherwise, there is no documentation of his early work in his papers.

There is some correspondence related to Bogin's published material, as well as a few items of correspondence with Alain Bosquet, Robert Bly, Malcolm Cowley, and Lloyd Ultan.

  • Series I: Biographical Materials, 1982-1988, undated

    This series consists of Bogin's résumé and reading cards, which include information on the use and publication of his poetry. The files also include information on Bogin's awards, fellowships, interviews, and poetry readings. The "Readings" and "Poetry Prize" files also includes general biographical statements on Bogin.

  • Series II: Correspondence, 1955, 1962-1997

    Most of the correspondence in this series is related to the publication of Bogin's works or the performance of Pitchipoi, The Children of Drancy. There is also one folder of business correspondence, "Film 66 May," that is related to H. Bogin & Son, Inc. After 1988, Bogin's affairs were handled by his widow, Ruth Bogin. There is some additional correspondence filed with Bogin's poetry files. These files are noted in the container list for Series III: Poetry.

  • Series III: Poetry, 1938-1939, 1953-1988

    This series consists of drafts, typescripts, and a few copies of items from publications. There is also some correspondence interfiled with Bogin's poetry files. The container list makes note of files that include correspondence.

Arrangement

This collection has been left in its original physical order, but is intellectually arranged in three series.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

Flat Box # 739 is located on-site

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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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); George Bogin papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

No additions are expected

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was: Source of acquisition--Magda Bogin. Method of acquisition--acquired from; Date of acquisition--August 2002.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

This collection was processed b Catherine N. Carson.

Finding aid written by Catherine N. Carson in May 2008.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Revision Description

2008-11-07 File created.

2009/01/15 xml document instange created by Patrick Lawlor

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

History

George Bogin, a poet and translator, was born on April 28, 1920 in New York City. A lifelong New Yorker; he was raised in Queens and graduated from Columbia College in 1939. He served in World War II, and ultimately settled in Great Neck on Long Island, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a passionate supporter of human rights and civil liberties, and was a founder of the Great Neck Peace Forum in the early 1950s. He married Ruth Fleischer (1920-1999), with whom he had two daughters, Nina and Magda Bogin.

He was widely published in literary magazines and anthologies, including The Paris Review, The American Poetry Review, The Nation, Chicago Review, Columbia Forum, New Letters, Massachusetts Review, Kansas Quarterly, and Ploughshares. He also held residencies at the MacDowell Colony, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Tyrone Guthrie Center in Annaghmekerrig, Ireland. One of Bogin's poems , "Pitchipoi," was set to music for orchestra and soloists by Lloyd Ultan in Pitchipoi, The Children of Drancy" (1983). His translation work was primarily from the French, and included Bosquet and Supervielle. He published two books, a translation of Jules Supervielle's works, Selected Poems and Reflections on the Art of Poetry (1985), and his own book of poetry, In a Surf of Strangers (1981).

During the last few years of his life, Bogin struggled with lymphoma, and ultimately succumbed to the disease on October 7, 1988. After his death, Bogin's friends and family established the George Bogin Memorial Award. This is awarded for "a selection of four or five poems that reflects the encounter of the ordinary and the extraordinary, uses language in an original way, and takes a stand against oppression in all its forms."

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Correspondence CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Bogin, George CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Drancy (Concentration camp) -- Songs and music CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Supervielle, Jules, 1884-1960 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Ultan, Lloyd, 1929-1998 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
American poetry -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Poetry CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Poets, American -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Vocal duets with orchestra -- Scores CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID