Copy Berg papers 1890s-1998 dates 1970-1998

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Copy Berg papers 1890s-1998 dates 1970-1998

http://archives.nypl.org/mss/3444

Artist and gay rights activist Copy Berg was born Vernon E. Berg, III on July 10, 1951. He attended the United States Naval Academy from 1970-1974 and then served with the U. S. Navy Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. In 1975 the Navy sought to release him by General Discharge on grounds of homosexuality. Berg fought a highly publicized legal battle against the Navy but lost the case and was released in 1976. He settled in New York where he studied at Pratt Institute and launched his career as an artist. In 1986 Berg was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). His subsequent artwork explored the social response to the AIDS epidemic, sexual politics and sadomasochism. Berg died of an AIDS-related illness on January 27, 1999. The Copy Berg Papers include correspondence of the artist, his friends and his family; records of Berg's service in the United States Navy and his discharge dispute; artwork; photographs; audio and video recordings; printed material and ephemera.

New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6313289

New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division

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d. Jan. 27, 1999. From the description of Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83472558 Copy Berg was an artist and gay rights activist noted for his legal challenge of a United States Navy discharge issued because of his sexual orientation. Copy Berg was born Vernon E. Berg, III on July 10, 1951. He attended the United States Naval Academy from 1970-1974 and then served with the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet in th...

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