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(C) 1996 Duke University
Collection is open for research.
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The copyright interests in the Michael I. Rostovtzeff papers have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
[Identification of item], Michael Ivanovitch Rostovtzeff Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
The Michael I. Rostovtzeff Papers (1897-1968) were donated to the Rubenstein Library in 1992 by the American Society of Papyrologists.
Processed by: Daniel Daily
Assisted by: Sallie Locke and Brent Johanson
Date Completed: Nov. 20, 1992
Encoded by: Daniel Pitti and Stephen Miller
Professor Rostovtzeff received honorary degrees from the University of Leipzig (1909), Oxford University (1919), University of Wisconsin (1924), Cambridge University (1934), Harvard University (1936), Athens University (1937), and the University of Chicago (1941). He was also a member of numerous national academies and learned societies, both in the United States and Europe. Included among these are Phi Beta Kappa, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philological Society, La Pontificia Accademia Romana di Archeologia, Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, and the Polish Academy of Science.
The Michael I. Rostovtzeff Papers span the years 1897 to 1968 with the bulk dated 1926 to 1954. The collection chiefly consists of the correspondence of Michael Rostovtzeff and C. Bradford Welles, a colleague of Rostovtzeff's at Yale University, with other scholars in the fields of ancient history, archaeology, and philology. Other materials include autobiographical writings by Rostovtzeff, photographs, financial papers, and clippings. The papers primarily reflect Michael Rostovtzeff's tenure as a faculty member of the Classics Department at Yale University.
The Papers of Michael I. Rostovtzeff provide information on the scholarly study of the ancient world during the first half of the twentieth century. In the Correspondence Series, letters from scholars in England, America, and Europe focus on matters of historical interpretation, archaeological work at Dura-Europos, and philological analysis. Notable scholars include Rene Mouterde, W. W. Tarn, Franz Cumont, Athur D. Nock, Vincenzo Arangio-Ruiz, Tadeusz Zielinski, Walter Otto, and Fritz Heichelheim.
The Biographical Materials Subseries contains Rostovtzeff's narrative of the Provisional Government's fall during the Russian Revolution of 1917, his opposition to Bolshevism, and his eventual emigration from Russia. The Correspondence Series also documents Rostovtzeff's assistance to European scholars seeking teaching and research positions in the United States during World War II. A number of letters between Rostovtzeff and Alvin Johnson, Director of the New School for Social Research, concern efforts by Johnson to identify refugee scholars for faculty positions at the New School for Social Research.
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
Divided into three subseries: Individuals, Subjects, and Languages. Letters to and from an individual, or letters pertaining to a subject may be located within more than one subseries. Correspondence in English, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Russian, and Italian is scattered throughout the subseries.
Consists of letters to Rostovtzeff or copies
of letters sent by him. Included are letters which did not
originate from, nor were addressed to Professor Rostovtzeff,
including a substantial number of letters either to or from
Arranged alphabetically by correspondent, organization or society. Arranged chronologically under the correspondent when there is more than one letter to or from a correspondent. Following the A-Z arrangement are folders arranged alphabetically by surname.
Includes correspondence concerning Rostovtzeff's contribution to
The focus of a substantial number of letters
is Professor Rostovtzeff's efforts to aid refugee European
scholars in obtaining faculty positions in the
Arranged alphabetically.
Primarily letters received by Rostovtzeff
from scholars in
Arranged alphabetically by language and chronologically within each language.
Comprised of five subseries Biographical Materials, Pictures, Writings, Financial Papers, and General. Each subseries primarily documents Rostovtzeff's professional affiliations.
Primarily black and white photographs.
Subjects include
Includes offprints, typed drafts, and clippings of reviews for
Arranged chronologically.
Includes notes for a lecture series and the preparation of a bibliography of Rostovtzeff's works.
Arranged chronologically.