Frederic Morton papers

Collection

Identifier: 11-MWalB02715

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection consists primarily of materials related to the early writing career of Frederic Morton, dating from 1947-1965. These include manuscripts and typescripts of several of his published books (Asphalt & Desire, The Esthetic Implications of William Empsom's Criticism, The Schatten Affair, The Hound, The Darkness Below and The Witching Ship); correspondence with and historical research on the Rothschild family (the subject of his best-known work); various essays and articles written by Morton for Esquire, Playboy, The Atlantic Monthly and other periodicals; and published copies of his books, including translations. The collection is unprocessed. A preliminary inventory is available in Special Collections.

Dates

1947-1965

Creator

Morton, Frederic (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University. Please contact the department for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests to reproduce or publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.

Biographical / Historical

Frederic Morton (1924-2015) was an American writer. Born into a Jewish family in Vienna, his family fled post-Anschluss Austria in 1939, settling in New York. In America, Morton studied English literature, and published his first novel in 1947; he gained fame with The Rothschilds, a history of the banking family, published in 1962. He became an important New York literary figure, and worked as a journalist and critic for a number of publications. In total Morton published a dozen books, both fiction and nonfiction, many dealing with his native Austria; he became a celebrated figure in his native country during the later stages of his life. He died during a return trip to Vienna in 2015.

Extent

3.5 Linear Feet (5 hollinger boxes, 1 record center box)

Language of Materials

English

Subjects

Novelists, American -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Rothschild family Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings