Elmer Milton Blistein papers , circa 1957-1988

John Hay Library , Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Elmer Milton Blistein papers
Date range:	circa 1957-1988
Creator:	Blistein, Elmer M. (Elmer Milton), 1920-1993
Extent:	10.5 Linear feet
Abstract:	The Elmer Milton Blistein papers document Professor Blistein's research, teaching, and service to Brown University. The collection includes correspondence, research and teaching materials, manuscripts, and administrative records. Materials date from circa 1957 to 1988.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library , Special Collections
Collection number:	OF.1UF.B2

Scope & content

The Elmer Milton Blistein papers document Professor Blistein's research, teaching, and service to Brown University. The collection includes subject files covering a range of professional interests and associations, correspondence, recommendations, the records of English courses taught at Brown, as well as research and administrative records.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Brown University
• Brown University. English Dept.

Subject Organizations

• Brown University--Faculty.

Subject Topics

• Literature--Study and teaching--United States
• English literature--Study and teaching (Higher)

Occupations

• College teachers

Document Types

• Correspondence
• Letters of recommendation
• Syllabi

Subject Topics

• Education

Arrangement

The collection is organized in ten series:

• I. General files, circa 1957-1966
• II. Correspondence, 1962-1986
• III. Recommendations, 1962-1988
• IV. Courses taught
• V. Undergraduate and Graduate work: Notes and essays
• VI. Brown University Committees, circa 1970-1979
• VII. Comedy in Action
• VIII. David and Bathsaba
• IX. The order of poetry
• X. Sherlock Holmes

Biographical note

Elmer Milton Blistein (1920-1993) graduated from Brown in 1942 and received a doctorate from the university in 1953. Starting as an instructor in 1946, he taught English at Brown until his retirement in 1985. Professor Blistein taught, researched, and wrote books about comedy, Shakespeare and Elizabethan drama. He was a member of a cabal that created Professor Josiah Carberry, a fictitious Brown faculty member who traveled widely to attend scholarly functions without ever managing to show up for them.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Elmer Milton Blistein Papers, OF-1UF-B2, Brown University Archives.
Contact information:	John Hay Library , Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Brown University Library staff.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013 January
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)
Sponsor:	Processing funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Additional Information

Inventory

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