All posts by Margery Sly

Franklin H. Littell Papers open for research

March 11, 2015History NewsHistory News, Legal History, Religion, Top NewsMargery Sly

The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at Temple University Libraries is pleased to announce that the Franklin H. Littell collection is open and available for research.

View the finding aid on the Libraries’ website, along with portions of the papers which have been digitized. Dr. Littell’s extensive library is cataloged and is available for use along with the papers in the SCRC reading room on the Ground Floor of Paley Library.

Franklin Littell (1917-2009), emeritus professor of religion at Temple University, led a distinguished career that spanned more than seventy years. He was a pacifist and activist, proponent of the Christian Laity and an advocate for new religious movements, an historian, political commentator and supporter of the State of Israel. He devoted ten years to work with the Protestant Churches and Laity in US-occupied Germany and more than fifty years to the study and remembrance of the Holocaust and German Church Struggle. He career is marked by strong beliefs in interfaith understanding and religious liberty.

The Littell and Sachs families donated Dr. Littell’s papers and library to Temple in 2010, where they were the focus of a three-year cataloging and processing project. Processing of the collection was funded through a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, Inc., and generous support from Norman Braman.

Reading Orphan Train

February 17, 2015History NewsHistory News, Top NewsMargery Sly

This year’s One Book, One Philadelphia book is Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train, which traces the story of an Irish immigrant girl who lands in New York City, loses her family in a tenement fire in 1929, and is sent west on an orphan train. It “connects us with the importance of heritage and memories in shaping who we are, the value of intergenerational relationships, and the fundamental power of family.”

The Temple Libraries Book Club will discuss the book tomorrow, February 18, 2015, at noon in Paley Lecture Hall. All are welcome.

The novel could just as easily have told the story of immigrants arriving in Philadelphia, and that range of experience is featured in the spring exhibit, found on the ground, first, and mezzanine floors of Paley Library. Drawn from the archival and rare book collections in the Special Collections Research Center, the exhibit looks at themes from Orphan Train through the lens of Philadelphia history.

From the Philadelphia Jewish Archives: the Leo L. Honor Papers

January 7, 2015History NewsReligion, Top NewsMargery Sly

The Leo L. Honor Papers, a recently processed collection now open for research, is one of a few collections in the SCRC that document the growth of Jewish education in Philadelphia in the twentieth century. Dr. Leo Lazarus Honor was an educator who for much of his career taught Jewish teachers how to teach, and, in the process, mentored a generation of Jewish educators. Dr. Honor was an advocate for religious education and believed that an engaging curriculum of Jewish studies would encourage young people to identify with their heritage from an early age. Honor was well known for emphasizing religious education based on unity, rather than uniformity. His dedication to the Jewish teaching profession and his inclusive approach to religious education made Honor a leading and well-respected Jewish educator.

For more information about the Leo L. Honor Papers, view the online finding aid

-Jenna Marrone Olszak, Project Archivist and Jessica M. Lydon, Associate Archivist, Special Collections Research Center

Science Fiction Manuscripts in the Libraries: Three Examples

August 5, 2014History NewsHistory News, Science Fiction, Top NewsMargery Sly

Recently, a reference request came in through the Special Collections Research Center general email, asking for information about three of our science fiction manuscript collections: the Stanley G. Weinbaum Papers, the Lloyd Arthur Eshbach Papers and Fantasy Press Archives, and the Arthur Leo Zagat Manuscripts. While the Weinbaum papers already had a finding aid on our web site, it needed revision. The Eshbach and Zagat collections had finding aids in electronic format, but they had not yet made it onto our web site.

Photograph of Stanley G. Weinbaum, undated.

We call these “legacy finding aids” – finding aids written some years ago, that likely do not meet current archival structures and standards, and which require some revision before we can make them available online. Working through these finding aids and posting them to our web site is an often lengthy process, but a satisfying one in that it greatly increases awareness of the collections in question.

The Paskow Science Fiction Collection within the SCRC is perhaps best known for its extensive holdings of science fiction and fantasy books. In addition to multiple editions of primarily 20th century books, the collection contains pulp magazines, general and Star Trek/Klingon-related fanzines, posters, fliers, and convention ephemera.

Less well known is the fact that the science fiction collection also contains manuscript materials. The papers of Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, Tom Purdom, John Varley, Stanley G. Weinbaum, Felix Gotschalk, Arthur Leo Zagat, the Enterprising Women Fan Fiction Collection, and the Arthur Langley Searles Collection of H. P. Lovecraft Research Files are a few of the gems found in the collection.

Letter from Wonder Stories to Lloyd Arthur Eshbach, January 27, 1931.

The Weinbaum, Eshbach, and Zagat collections all contain a mix of manuscripts of published and unpublished short stories and novels, and correspondence with editors, agents, publishers, and authors. Much of the material is from the 1930s and 1940s, and provides a glimpse into that era of science fiction writing and publishing, particular in the pulp magazine area.

First page of a corrected typescript for Lloyd Arthur Eshbach’s story, “The Beast-Men.”

SCRC staff are working to verify existing inventories, update and standardize the format of finding aids, and prepare our collections for research use. The Weinbaum, Eshbach, and Zagat papers are three such collections that are now ready and waiting for interested researchers to visit the SCRC and discover their amazing content.

–Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services, SCRC

Occupy Philadelphia Archives

May 21, 2014History NewsHistory News, Top NewsMargery Sly

In September 2011, Occupy Wall Street began its protest in New York’s City’s Zuccotti Park, and quickly gained widespread popular attention. As a protest movement against economic and social inequality and corporate greed, the group touched a nerve with people worldwide affected by the economic crisis. By October of 2011, Occupy groups existed in over 80 countries, although the majority were located in the United States.

Best known for its extensive and elaborate camp at Dilworth Plaza, adjacent to City Hall, Occupy Philadelphia was largely composed of nonviolent protests, organized marches, and demonstrations. In November 2011, Philadelphia city officials informed Occupy protesters of the impending renovations scheduled to begin at Dilworth Plaza later that the month and asked Occupy Philadelphia to relocate. They refused, and Philadelphia Police evicted them on November 30, 2011.

Occupy members, archivists, and other interested groups have tried since 2011 to document the movement and collect historical evidence related to the many Occupy groups. Because of its decentralized and non-authoritarian nature, this has proved enormously difficult. The digital nature of many Occupy materials have also caused difficulties in preserving and making available records of the movement. Emory Libraries’ Digital Scholarship Commons has collected over ten million tweets from the Occupy Wall Street group for data analysis, and WBAI radio station in New York has preserved and made accessible audio files related to the group. A 2012 New York Times article detailed efforts to collect records associated with the Occupy Wall Street, while Harvard collected and created a finding aid for records of the Occupy Harvard group.

The Special Collections Research Center received materials in physical and digital form from the Occupy Philadelphia group. The Occupy Philadelphia Records include organizational records, fliers and ephemera, song and chant lyrics, journals and newspapers, clippings, and digital materials including photographs and videos, documenting the Occupy Philadelphia movement as well as other Occupy and protest movements. Much of the material is graphically striking, and expresses the tone and message of the movement in artistic and eye-catching ways. Both the physical and the digital materials can be viewed in the SCRC reading room. An advance appointment is recommended for viewing digital files.

–Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services, SCRC

From the Philadelphia Jewish Archives: Pinchos J. Chazin Papers

April 25, 2014History NewsHistory News, Religion, Top NewsMargery Sly

Rabbi Pinchos J. Chazin (1914-2006) was a well-known and much admired spiritual leader in Philadelphia’s Jewish community. For forty-three years, he inspired and engaged the congregation of Temple Sholom with sermons and weekly lectures that connected scripture with contemporary culture in a way that was both meaningful and motivational. Rabbi Chazin’s sermons were invariably positive, encouraging congregants to explore their spirituality and delve deeper into Jewish tradition. He also displayed compassion for the foibles of human nature, an ability that impressed many people who heard Rabbi Chazin speak.

“Your work as the spiritual guide of Temple Sholom must be a taxing one,” wrote one correspondent in 1950, “but one can’t help feeling your sincerity of purpose….It did a lot to create and instill the desire to delve deeper into the beauties of Judaism, and what it stands for.” In 1970, another correspondent noted, “You are unquestionably the finest rabbi in terms of learning and expression and humanity that I have ever known, and one of the finest human beings I have ever known, as well.” And in 1979, a congregant succinctly wrote, “For the many years that you have acted as Rabbi in Temple Sholom you have opened the doors to ourselves and our children to the true meaning of Judaism and warm friendship.”

Chazin’s personal papers including his weekly sermons, book review lectures, eulogies, cantatas and related materials are now open for research in the Special Collections Research Center. To learn more about this collection, review the online finding aid http://library.temple.edu/scrc/pinchos-j-chazin-papers

Jenna Marrone, Project Archivist

Notes from the Littell Project: Opponent of Political Extremism and Totalitarianism

April 3, 2014History NewsHistory News, Top NewsMargery Sly

In the 1960s, Franklin H. Littell took a public stand against political extremist groups in America. He created The Freedom Institute at Iowa Wesleyan College; developed an Early Warning System to prevent genocide; and exposed radical radio preachers and the John Birch Society with the support of the Institute for American Democracy. All these activities supported Littell’s work to educate about and guard against the development of totalitarian regimes.

Ideological programs dominated segments of the American radio industry in the 1950s and 1960s. The Institute for American Democracy (IAD) and Littell worked against radical radio preachers such as Billy James Hargis and Carl McIntire. Along with the Anti-Defamation League and the National Council of Churches, the IAD utilized the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine as a means to expose and rally against extremist speech. In an effort to comply with the FCC Fairness Doctrine, Hargis offered Littell equal airtime on his weekly radio broadcast to rebut statements Hargis made against him. Hargis cites his Christian principles “as a minister of God” as reason for extending the opportunity to Littell, but labeled Littell “one of the most dangerous men in United States.”

Courtney Smerz, Project Archivist

Please join us in celebrating the opening of the Littell Collection, April 9, 2:00 pm, Paley Library Lecture Hall. For more information visit http://library.temple.edu/scrc/conwellana-templana-collection/franklin-littell

From the Philadelphia Jewish Archives: Robert B. Wolf and Morris Wolf Papers

March 28, 2014History NewsHistory News, Legal History, Top NewsMargery Sly

The dynamic Morris and Robert B. Wolf were a father and son known for their dedication to the law and human services. In 1903, Morris Wolf co-founded Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, a law firm well-known for hiring Jewish lawyers in spite of city-wide discrimination. Robert, a partner in his father’s firm, was likewise committed to creating positive change in Philadelphia, particularly in the field of juvenile justice.

Their papers are now open and available for research in the Special Collections Research Center. Although this collection includes Morris’ personal papers, much of it is a testament to Robert’s juvenile justice advocacy efforts. From the 1970s to the 1990, he served as Director and Vice President of the Citizens Crime Commission of Philadelphia and as chairman of Philadelphia’s Youth Services Coordinating Commission, and was appointed to the Juvenile Advisory Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Robert helped draft criminal justice legislation and served on a number of Pennsylvania state juvenile justice committees and task forces. Most notably, perhaps, Wolf was appointed as a master by the United States District Court to oversee the city’s Youth Study Center following allegations of abuse and overcrowding.

Robert Wolf at commission meeting — Robert B. Wolf (far left) at a meeting to establish the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), circa 1970s

In addition to juvenile justice, Robert Wolf’s interests also included local government reform and mid-century urban housing issues. In the early 1950s, he was a draftsman on the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, and served as the chairman of the city’s Coordinated Housing Improvement Program (CHIP). He also taught urban studies courses at Haverford College and Temple University.

The finding aid for the Robert B. Wolf and Morris Wolf Papers can be found at http://libr ary.temple.edu/scrc/robert-b-wolf-and-morris-wolf .

Jenna Marrone, Project Archivist

Notes from the Littell Project: Holocaust Remembrance

January 27, 2014History NewsHistory News, Top NewsMargery Sly

Littell at memorial — Franklin H. Littell lays flowers at European Memorial

Among his many accomplishments as a scholar, educator, and Methodist preacher, Franklin H. Littell (1917-2009) spent the better part of fifty years dedicated to increasing public awareness about the lessons of the Holocaust and interfaith cooperation between Christians and Jews in its continued remembrance. Littell was a pioneer in establishing academic programs on Holocaust studies. He taught a graduate seminar on the Holocaust at Emory University in 1959, and established a doctoral program at Temple University in 1976. In the 1970s, Littell also established conferences such as the Annual Scholars Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches, an interdisciplinary, international, interfaith conference on Holocaust scholarship; and centers like the National Institute on the Holocaust at Temple University, an interfaith education resource center that encouraged study of the Holocaust in primary and secondary classrooms. In 1978, Littell was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve on the Presidential Commission on the Holocaust, later renamed the US Holocaust Memorial Council, which conceptualized the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC as a permanent living memorial.

With increased public discourse initiated by Holocaust scholars like Littell, observances and remembrance activities in commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust were established on both a national and international scale. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 , International Holocaust Remembrance Day¬ as an annual international day of commemoration. The date, January 27, marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the largest Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops.

2014 International Holocaust Remembrance Day events in Philadelphia:

American-Italy Society of Philadelphia:

http://tinyurl.com/nzjopuy

Congregation Mikveh Israel:

http://tinyurl.com/ncxztj7

Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia:

http://tinyurl.com/q42yar6

On February 10, 2014, a new exhibition will open in Paley Library, featuring selections from Franklin Littell’s extensive collection of papers in Temple Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center. The exhibition will showcase Littell’s life and work including his Holocaust Remembrance activities.

Jessica Lydon, Associate Archivist, and Courtney Smerz, Project Archivist

Collecting the Puritans…and Their Contemporaries

November 22, 2013History NewsHistory News, Rare Books, Religion, Top NewsMargery Sly

Fans of the Special Collections Research Center likely know that letters, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other archival materials usually come to us in collections – large and small groups of materials either created or collected by a person or organization. Often, the histories behind the gathering together of these primary source materials, and the long road from creation to their final home in SCRC, is as interesting as the content of the materials themselves.

Less well known is that we also frequently receive our rare books in the form of a collection, as well. While books tend to be rather individual in nature, as collections they have personalities and histories as unique as any archival collection.

One of SCRC’s book collections is the Philip Gardiner Nordell Collection, which consists of over 250 books, primarily rare British imprints on religion from the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The collection documents the different predominant and often conflicting ideas during this period, particularly related to religion, religious liberty, and rationalism in England and the New England colonies. Included in the collection are many books on “fringe” groups such as Anabaptists, Ranters, and atheists, as well as many works on witchcraft. Authors represented include Francis Bacon, John Cotton, Thomas Hobbes, and Cotton Mather.

Frontispiece from Hobbes' Leviathan — Frontispiece from a first edition of Leviathan; Or, The Matter, Forme, and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiasticall and Civill, by Thomas Hobbes (London: Printed for Andrew Crooke, 1651).

Philip Gardiner Nordell (1894-1976) was a man of many talents and interests. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1916, and was an All American in the running broad jump. He claimed to have invented the predecessor to boxed cake mixes in the 1920s, founding a business that combined the dry ingredients for muffins, allowing the baker to simply add water. Nordell’s primary research interest was early American lotteries, which he studied for over 30 years. His personal collection of early lottery tickets and related newspaper announcements, brochures, and broadsides, is now at Princeton University.

Swinden map — Map from Tobias Swinden’s An Enquiry into the Nature and Place of Hell (London: Printed by W. Bowyer, for W. Taylor [etc.], 1714).

Nordell also assembled his extraordinary collection of books documenting religion in Britain and New England in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. In a 1965 letter, he said: “My central aim in gathering the collection has been to furnish important source material helpful in appraising the comparative mental patterns in old and New England.… In different words, the collection furnishes much of the basic source material to form a sound judgment as to the truth of an observation made in the 1640’s, that while New England was becoming old, old England was becoming new.”

Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services, SCRC