This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Collection consists of correspondence, writings, research notes, notebooks, printed material, books, photographs and one audiotape.
Series I: Cataloged Correspondence
Series contains Mirra Ginsburg's original correspondence with prominent literary figures, primarily in Russian, with some English correspondence (most notably with I.B. Singer). Manuscript drafts included. Photocopies or typed copies of the same document are enclosed, but not cataloged separately. Documents are filed alphabetically by correspondent, then chronologically, with interleaved incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Series II: Arranged Correspondence
Russian and English.
Series IV: Background materials
Research material used by MG in her works, such as original texts of translated authors, and writings about these authors. Series also include adaptations and reviews of translations by MG (additional reviews, sent by publishers, can be found in Arranged Correspondence series).
Personal documents relating to MG and her family
Materials relating to MG activities in American PEN club and its committees. Includes agendas, munites, publications, and correspondence between committee members
Series VII: Writings by Others
Typescripts or unbound photocopies, often inscribed to Mirra Ginsburg by authors. Series does not include materials translated by MG (for original texts used for translation see Background Materials series). Alphabetical by author.
Alphabetical by title.
Oversized items from various series, cross-referenced in the corresponding series. Box also contains an audio cassette tape of Singer Interviews (paper materials on this project are in Writings - Singer series).
This collection is arranged in eleven series.
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.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML). The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Mirra Ginsburg Papers; Box and Folder; Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
No accruals are exprected
Source of acquisition--Barbara Frenchi (niece). Method of acquisition--Donation; Date of acquisition--11/2002.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Papers processed Jane Gorjevsky 3/2003.
2010-01-21 Legacy finding aid created from Pro Cite.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Mirra Ginsburg (1909-2000) was born in Bobruisk, Russia (now Belarus). She attended schools in Russia, Latvia, Canada and the United States, where her family moved c. 1928. Throughout her long and prolific career, Mirra Ginsburg has worked as a researcher, freelance writer, editor, and translator from Russian and Yiddish. Despite the absense of any formal training, Mirra Ginsburg became a highly respected translator, an active member of professional associations, and a winner of numerous awards. Besides being a translator and editor of adult stories, anthologies and plays (including works of such authors as Singer, Platonov, Bulgakov, Remizov, Babel' and Dostoevsky), she was also recognized for her charming adaptations and siccinct translations of folktales for children.