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Herschel Silverman Collection of Theodore Enslin Correspondence

Call Number

MSS.358

Date

1994-2011, inclusive

Creator

Silverman, Herschel
Enslin, Theodore
Silverman, Herschel (Role: Donor)

Extent

2 Linear Feet in 2 record cartons.

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Abstract

American Beat poet Herschel Silverman (1926-2015) was strongly influenced by jazz music and other Beat writers. He read and wrote poetry well into his 80s. Poet Theodore Enslin (1925-2011) published over 80 books of poetry in his career. He lived the majority of his life in rural Maine, where he farmed and wrote until he passed away at the age of 86. This collection contains correspondence between Herschel Silverman and Theodore Enslin during the later part of their lives, beginning in 1994 until Enslin's death in 2011. Topics include responses to each other's writings, world events, health, friends, and family. These topics illustrate the long-term friendships of this generation of writers, as they moved into old age and faced challenges both professionally and personally.

Biographical Note

American Beat poet Herschel Silverman (1926-2015) owned a sweet shop/luncheonette called Hersch's Beehive, in Bayonne, New Jersey for 34 years, while also writing, publishing, and performing poetry at New York clubs. His involvement in Beat culture led to long-lasting friendships with other writers, including Allen Ginsberg and Theodore Enslin. Silverman read and wrote new poetry well into his 80s, and was considered a role model for writers in his New Jersey community.

Poet Theodore Enslin (1925-2011) lived most of his adult life in rural Maine, while farming and writing poetry. He published over 80 books of poetry, wrote an award-winning newspaper column, and wrote a play produced in New York. Enslin passed away in Maine at the age of 86.

Sources: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11917494/Herschel-Silverman-Beat-poet-obituary.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/02/nyregion/poetry-a-beat-poet-behind-the-candy-counter.html

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poets/detail/theodore-enslin

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/30/theodore-enslin

Arrangement

The correspondence was arranged in chronological order.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence between poets/friends Herschel Silverman and Theodore Enslin, beginning in 1994 until Enslin's death in 2011. Topics include responses to each other's writings, world events, health, friends, and family. These topics illustrate the long-term friendships of this generation of writers, as they moved into old age and the challenges they faced professionally and personally.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers. Appointments are necessary for the use of manuscript and archival collections.

Conditions Governing Use

NYU's Fales Library & Special Collections is not the copyright owner for this collection. Collection use is subject to all copyright laws. Researchers wishing to reproduce collection material should contact rights holders for permission.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date; Herschel Silverman Collection of Theodore Enslin Correspondence; MSS 358; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University.

Location of Materials

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact fales.library@nyu.edu at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Herschel Silverman in October, 2012; the accession number associated with this gift is 2012.358.

Collection processed by

Stacey Flatt, with arrangment by Emily King.

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 17:13:23 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid written in English

Processing Information

Between 2014-2016, a Fales Library student worker arranged, refoldered, and wrote minimal folder entries for the collection. In 2017, an archivist wrote the finding aid.

Repository

Fales Library and Special Collections
Fales Library and Special Collections
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012