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David Simon Blondheim papers

 Collection
Identifier: K0007

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, typescripts, proofs, photographs, bookplates, notes, and other personal documents. The material dates from 1924 to 1981, with the bulk of the material dating between 1928 and 1934. These are the personal papers of philologist David Simon Blondheim. Blondheim was a U.S. Romance scholar, and the material in this collection deals predominately with his work on medieval Jewish manuscripts.

Dates

  • 1924-1981 and undated
  • Majority of material found within 1928 - 1934

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

David Simon Blondheim (1884-1934) was a U.S. philologist and scholar of medieval French and French linguistics. He was renowned in his field for his work on medieval Jewish manuscripts and Judeo-Romance languages.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland August 25, 1884, he received his AB at The Johns Hopkins University in 1906 and his Ph.D. in 1910. He later studied in France at the Sorbonne, the Collège de France, the École des Hautes Études, and the École des Chartes. In 1924 he became professor of Romance philology at Johns Hopkins University, and in 1926 he was awarded the Volney prize from the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres for his book Les Parlers Judeo-Romans et la Vetus Latina (1925). He was the first American to receive this honor.

David Blondheim was married to Eleanor Lansing Dulles, with whom he had one son, David Dulles. He died in Baltimore, March 19, 1934.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 document box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The papers of David Simon Blondheim (1884-1934) contain correspondence, typescripts, proofs, photographs, bookplates, notes, and other personal documents. The material dates from 1924 to 1981, with the bulk of the material dating between 1928 and 1934. Blondheim was a U.S. Romance scholar, renowned in his field for his work on medieval French and French linguistics. The material in this collection deals predominately with his work on medieval Jewish manuscripts and Judeo-Romance languages.

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site, and may require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers of David Simon Blondheim in this collection were found amongst the personal papers of his wife, Eleanor Lansing Dulles (MS2217). Dulles donated her papers, along with her professional library, to Eckles Library at Mount Vernon College, circa 1993. The George Washington University acquired the college’s property and legacy in 1998.

Related Materials

The majority of David Simon Blondheim's manuscripts and papers are housed in the Jewish National and University Library (now the National Library of Israel) in Jerusalem.

Additional photographs of Blondheim are found in the personal papers of his wife, Eleanor Lansing Dulles: MS2217. A catalogue of David S. Blondheim's professional library, containing works in the fields of romance philology, Hebraica, rare dictionaries, periodicals, reprints, and dissertations, may be found in the Gelman Library's online catalog: PC41.D85 1935.

Title
Guide to the David Simon Blondheim papers, 1924-1981
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America