Myra Jessen papers

The Myra Jessen papers is a collection of the papers of Myra Jessen, Bryn Mawr College class of 1915. The collection, which is undated, consists primarily of research notes on Franz Grillparzer, an Austrian dramatist of the Biedermeier period. The collection includes Jessen's unpublished manuscript on Grillparzer entitled "Lehrhafte Formulieung im Grillparserschen Drama," and correspondence related to her research. Also included are grade books for German courses, exams, student recommendations, and correspondence with students, faculty, and alumnae committees.

The collection is housed in four boxes, all of which contain research notes and a variety of other materials.

The first box contains research notes mostly concerning authors and playwrights (Grillparzer, Shakespeare, Schiller, Sappho), and on various themes such as beauty, youth vs. age, love, avarice, etc. The second box contains correspondence concerning Jessen’s research, faculty matters, publications, and Bryn Mawr; research notes on many of the previously mentioned topics; and Bryn Mawr related materials. The third box contains more research notes, primarily on Grillparzer, and some correspondence concerning BMC class reunions, the German department, and student matters. It also contains two separate boxes of Jessen’s unpublished typescript, “Lehrhafte Formulieung im Grillparserschen Drama.” The fourth box contains the Grillparzer notebook “Sappho 1817” and research notes on said notebook. It also contains a box of handwritten and typed index cards (Grillparzer, etc. bibliography), some with attached notes and folded correspondence.

The focus of this collection is on Franz Grillparzer. Jessen made copious notes, many of which were substantially developed over decades, evidencing her thought process and revisions. This collection is also unique for its inclusion of her unpublished typescript. It would certainly be of use to anyone interested in Grillparzer. The Bryn Mawr materials in the collection provide a focused view of the German department in the early-mid twentieth century. Collection is in German and English.