Letters from Francis P. Magoun, Jr. to Rudolf Hertz

ArchivalResource

Letters from Francis P. Magoun, Jr. to Rudolf Hertz

Letters from Francis P. Magoun, Jr. to Rudolf Hertz

1946-1953

https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hua04019/catalog

The collection contains correspondence from Francis P. Magoun, Jr. to his friend Professor Rudolf Hertz from 1946-1953. Most of the letters discuss personal and family matters, while some letters include Magoun’s comments on the political volatility that existed during the 1950s, particularly the Cold War with the Soviet Union and United States involvement in the Korean War. Letters which include Magoun’s comments on the consequences of an atomic war provide some insight into the uncertainty of life in the atomic age. Little in these letters chronicle Magoun’s teaching at Harvard University. In one of the few references to philology in the letters (July 11, 1951), Magoun discusses the process of change in the use of language, what constitutes good English, and what determines the “correctness” of language. Scattered in the letters are Magoun’s Christmas and New Year’s Day greetings to Hertz; descriptions of the activities of his children, Francis, Bill, Gretchen, and Jean; and inquiries about the well-being of Hertz’s family. Researchers should note that the first letter in this collection, dated July 17, 1946, is in German.

.17 cubic feet (1 document box)

eng, Latn

Houghton Library