BIOGHIST REQUIRED The German language has been taught at Columbia University since the 1880’s. However, the Germanic Languages and Literatures Department was not organized until 1890 under the Division of Modern Languages and Literatures of the Faculty of Philosophy. The department grew rapidly at the beginning of the twentieth century, with professors teaching in both the Graduate Faculties and Columbia College. The six chairpersons represented in these records are Robert H. Fife, Carl F. Bayerschmidt, William T. H. Jackson, Joseph P. Bauke, Inge Halpert, and Andreas Huyssen. The most recent correspondence covers Andreas Huyssen’s term as chairperson. Following is a timeline of the chairpersons: 1920-1946 Robert Herndon Fife, 1948-1961 Carl Frank Bayerschmidt, 1961-1967 William Thomas Hobdell Jackson, 1967-1979 Joseph Padur Bauke, 1979-[1989] Inge D. Halpert, 1989- ? Andreas Huyssen.
The Germanic Review, a quarterly publication, was founded in 1926 by Professor Robert Herndon Fife and has always been closely tied to the department. The chair of the department was usually the editor, or one of the editors, of the Review .
From the guide to the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures Records [Bulk Dates: 1935-1990], 1935-1990, (University Archives-Columbiana Library Columbia University)
