Franz Werfel papers, 1910-1944

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Summary

Creators:
Werfel, Franz, 1890-1945
Abstract:
Franz Werfel (1890-1945) was one of the founders of the expressionist movement in German literature. In 1940, he fled the Nazis and settled in the U.S. He wrote one of his most popular novels, Song of Bernadette, in 1941. The collection consists of materials found in Werfel's study at the time of his death. Includes correspondence, manuscripts, clippings and printed materials, pictures, artifacts, periodicals, and books.
Extent:
18.5 linear feet (37 boxes and 1 oversize box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Franz Werfel Papers (Collection 512). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of materials found in Werfel's study at the time of his death. Includes correspondence, manuscripts (including Das Lied von Bernadette and Jacobowsky un der Oberst), clippings and printed materials, pictures, artifacts, periodicals, and books. Correspondents include Alma Mahler Werfel and Lion Feuchtwanger.

Collection has materials in English and German.

Biographical / historical:

Franz Werfel was born September 10, 1890 in Prague, Bohemia; one of the founders of the expressionist movement in German literature, Werfel began writing poetry when still a boy and published his first play when 20; published first book of verse in 1911; plays Goat Song (1922) and Juarez and Maximilian (1925) were successfully produced in Europe and New York; published novel, Verdi, in 1924; married Alma Mahler, composer Gustav Mahler's widow, in 1929; in 1940 fled Nazis to U.S.; wrote one of his most popular novels, Song of Bernadette, in 1941; died of a heart attack on August 26, 1945 in Beverly Hills.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Alma Mahler Werfel, 1948-1956.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Correspondence (Boxes 1-4).
  2. Notebooks (Boxes 5-6, 37).
  3. Manuscripts (Boxes 7-17, 37).
  4. Magazines and clippings (Boxes 18-21, 23).
  5. Letters, contracts, telegrams, ephemera (Box 22).
  6. Werfel's library (Boxes 24-33).
  7. Objects, microfilm (Boxes 34-36).

NOTE: The collection was arranged by John M. Spalek. His checklist follows the register, annotated with Box numbers for location of material.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance through our electronic paging system using the request button located on this page. Werfel's desk on permanent loan to the Villa Aurora in Pacific Palisades.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance through our electronic paging system using the request button located on this page.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Papers cannot be published except with the permission of Marina Mahler.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Franz Werfel Papers (Collection 512). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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