Karl D. Jessen papers

The Karl D. Jessen papers house the records of Dr. Karl D. Jessen, a professor of German Literature at Bryn Mawr College. This collection dates from 1872 to 1980, with bulk dates of 1890 to 1917. This collection consists mostly of correspondence between Jessen and his family, friends, and colleagues, with manuscripts and manuscript drafts, clippings, scrapbooks, bibliography cards of Jessen’s research. These records provide insight into Jessen’s research interests, political beliefs, career, and family life, especially leading up to his marriage to Myra Jessen. Researchers interested in the German-American experience on the United States home front during World War I will find this collection of particular interest.

This collection is arranged into three series: “I. Correspondence, 1890-1967,” “II. Research, writings, lectures, 1872-1946,” and “III. Personal, 1890-1980.”

Series “I. Correspondence” dates from 1890 to 1967, with bulk dates of 1890 to 1919. Records in this series include letters and postcards to and from Karl Jessen, some regarding Socialism in the United States and the political situation in Germany. The majority of the letters in this series deal with his career as a professor, especially regarding research, publication, administrative tasks, and professional relationships with both professors and students. Notable correspondents include M. Carey Thomas, Franklin Vonnegut, the Teller family, various university colleagues, and numerous publishers. Of particular interest are several letters detailing Jessen’s experiences of harassment by both citizens and the government because of his status as a German immigrant during WWI. There is some overlap in material with Series “III. Personal” since the exact form of his relationships to some correspondents in unknown. The majority of the materials in this series are handwritten in German although there are some materials in English and French; some are typed. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “II. Research, writings, lectures” dates from 1872 to 1946, with bulk dates of 1895 to 1917. This series includes many of Jessen’s diaries and date books, bibliography cards, manuscripts and manuscript drafts, lecture drafts and notes, and German-American newsletters and clippings. Most of the materials relate to German culture, Socialism, anti-Imperialism, and Jessen’s professional research interests. Researchers interested in German-American Socialism and German romantic nationalism leading up to World War I will find this series particularly useful. The majority of the materials in this series is in German; both typed and autograph records are present. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series “III. Personal” dates from 1890 to 1980, with bulk dates of 1890 to 1912. This series includes scrapbooks, diplomas and certificates, correspondence with close friends and family members, and genealogical notes. Also included are several photographs of Jessen and various colleagues, as well as personal mementos from professional events and official documents regarding immigration and citizenship. Notable correspondents include Myra Jessen, Berta and Marie Muller, Maria Jessen (Karl Jessen’s mother), Heinrich Freese, and Illona Benda (Jessen’s first wife). There is some overlap in material with Series “I. Correspondence,” as Jessen’s relationship with several correspondents is not immediately discernable. The bulk of the materials in this series are typed, printed, or handwritten in German. This series is arranged chronologically.

This collection is especially significant in its evidence of anti-German sentiment early in World War I, as well as documentation of the growing Socialist movement in the United States before the Bolshevik Revolution. Researchers may also find this collection useful to trace the study of German romantic and mystic literature. Additionally, those interested in Jessen’s family and personal life will find many letters, especially to Berta Muller, particularly abundant.