Arthur Mizener Papers on F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1941-1982 (mostly 1947-1951)

Contents and Arrangement

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Collection Overview

Creator:

Mizener, Arthur

Title:

Arthur Mizener Papers on F. Scott Fitzgerald

Repository:

Manuscripts Division

Permanent URL:

http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rx913p91b

Dates:

1941-1982 (mostly 1947-1951)

Size:

6 boxes and 2.2 linear feet

Storage Note:

Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1-6

Language:

English

Abstract: Consists of correspondence, manuscripts, and printed material relating to the Fitzgerald biography The Far Side of Paradise (1951) by the literary critic, editor, biographer, author, and educator Arthur Mizener.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of correspondence, manuscripts, and printed material relating to F. Scott Fitzgerald that Mizener used in preparation of his Fitzgerald biography The Far Side of Paradise (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1951). Included is correspondence between Mizener and family, friends, acquaintances, and professional colleagues of Fitzgerald, such as Judge John Biggs, Ludlow S. Fowler, Sheilah Graham, Ginevra King, Harold Ober, Maxwell Perkins, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Frances "Scottie" Smith (daughter), and Lionel Trilling. There are forty letters (1948-1952) by Mizener to his editor at Houghton Mifflin, Paul Brooks, about the biography. The collection also contains the original typed manuscript with holograph corrections of the book , as well as essays, reviews, and a radio address about Fitzgerald for the Voice of America (1963). In addition, there are reviews of Mizener's book The Saddest Story: A Biography of Ford Madox Ford (1971), Fitzgerald's paperweight, Mizener's copy of The Far Side of Paradise with his handwritten and typed corrections for a revised edition, and an autograph letter by A. C. Chapman to Mizener concerning Fitzgerald.

Collection Creator Biography:

Mizener, Arthur

Arthur Mizener (1907-1988) graduated from Princeton University in 1930, earned a masters at Harvard University, and then returned to Princeton to receive his doctorate in 1934. Mizener taught English at Yale University, Wells College, and Carleton College before becoming Cornell University's Mellon Foundation Professor of English in 1951. He later retired from teaching in 1975.

Mizener's most popular work was the first biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Far Side of Paradise (1951). Credited with renewing interest in its subject, the profile was the first account of Fitzgerald's life to be published. Mizener subsequently published three more books on Fitzgerald. His other writings include another biography of a literary figure, The Saddest Story: A Biography of Ford Madox Ford (1971), and essays on writing and literary criticism, such as The Sense of Life in the Modern Novel (1964).

Collection History

Acquisition:: Mizener donated most of his working papers in 1984, and additional papers were purchased in 1986. Mizener corresponded with friends, relatives, and associates of Fitzgerald requesting personal reminiscences and permission to quote from their letters to Fitzgerald.
Appraisal: No appraisal information is available.
Processing Information: This collection was processed by Mia Kim in 1993. Finding aid written by Mia Kim in 1993.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

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