The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Emil Julius Gumbel Papers ca. 1934-1966
© 2006 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Gumbel, Emil Julius. Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | ca. 1934-1966 |
| Size: | 2 linear ft. (4 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | The Emil Julius Gumbel Papers consist primarily of general personal correspondence arranged alphabetically by correspondent, including in most cases a copy of Gumbel's reply. Also included in the collection are Gumbel's topical files. These files pertain for the most part to particular episodes and activities, such as Gumbel's association with the Office of Strategic Service. |
No restrictions.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Gumbel, Emil Julius. Papers
Emil J. Gumbel, (1891-1966), a mathematical statistician, was one of the many German intellectuals who opposed the Nazi regime and fled their homeland with the hope that democratic government in Germany could be restored through their efforts abroad. The Gumbel papers reflect his associations with fellow anti-Nazis, and their activities to help their homeland recover from the devastation wrought by the Third Reich. Gumbel's early life was spent in Munich where he studied economics, engineering, and actuarial science as well as mathematics and statistics. He joined the faculty of Heidelberg University in 1922 and during the next decade became widely known for his political writings as well as his scientific work. His political views were largely the result of a determined pacifism acquired during his service in the First World War. Through the 1920's he wrote several books and articles which exposed the militaristic goals and political intimidation of right-wing elements whose influence was then growing in Germany, especially the Freikorps and the young National Socialist Party. As a result of his investigations Gumbel was dismissed from the Heidelberg faculty when the Nazis came to power in 1933. He spent the next several years in France, teaching at the Universities of Paris and Lyons, then, upon the German invasion of France in 1940, Gumbel emigrated to New York City, where he obtained a position at the New School for Social Research.
Gumbel's knowledge of German political affairs enabled him to take an active part in the struggle against the Nazis. The papers record that he was frequently consulted by students, scholars, and government agencies, especially the Office of Strategic Services. Most of the correspondence in the collection is from the 1940's, during which period Gumbel continued to maintain his ties with former colleagues in Europe, North and South America. The papers include correspondence with several friends whom he helped escape the Nazis, and with such associates as Otto Lehmann-Russbuldt, president of the Deutsche Liga für Menschenrechte, and Paul von Schoenaich of the Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft. Gumbel's postwar concern for the reconstruction of Germany, the welfare of his countrymen, and his opposition to German rearmament are also documented in the papers by correspondence and such public statements as his "Erklärung gegen Deutsche Aufrüstung."
Gumbel continued to teach at the New School and other New York institutions until his death in 1966.
The Emil Julius Gumbel Papers consist primarily of general personal correspondence arranged alphabetically by correspondent, including in most cases a copy of Gumbel's reply. Also included in the collection are Gumbel's topical files. These files pertain for the most part to particular episodes and activities, such as Gumbel's association with the Office of Strategic Service.
Gumbel's scientific papers, centered on order statistics, especially the development and application of the theory of extreme values, are deposited in the Leo Baeck Institute of New York.
Series I: General Personal Correspondence |
| Box 1 Folder 1 | Correspondence A-B
|
| Box 1 Folder 2 | Correspondence C-F
|
| Box 1 Folder 3 | Falk, Alfred |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | Falk, Alfred |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Correspondence F-K
|
| Box 1 Folder 6 | Kempner, Robert M.W. |
| Box 1 Folder 7 | Correspondence K-L
|
| Box 1 Folder 8 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 9 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 10 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 11 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 12 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 13 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 14 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 15 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 16 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 17 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 18 | Lehmann-Russbüldt, Otto |
| Box 1 Folder 19 | Correspondence L-M
|
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Correspondence N-R
|
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Correpondence R
|
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Correspondence S
|
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Schwarz, Arthur |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Schwarz, Arthur |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Schwarz, Arthur |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Correspondence S
|
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Correspondence T-W
|
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Unidentified correspondence and papers |
Series II: Topical Files |
| Box 2 Folder 10-17 | Academic Affairs
|
| Box 3 Folder 1-11 | Bergstraesser Affair
|
| Box 3 Folder 12 | Curricula vitae and bibliographies of Gumbel's publications, to Ca. 1939. |
| Box 4 Folder 1-2 | École Libre des Hautes Études
|
| Box 4 Folder 3 | Erklärung gegen Deutschen Aufristung
|
| Box 4 Folder 4 | Hamburg, University of, visiting professorship.
|
| Box 4 Folder 5 | Ligue des Croits de 1'Homme, Congress at Lyon, 1934. Correspondence, statements, and clippings concerning Gumbel's attendance at the Ligue's regional conference. Misinterpretation of his remarks to the conference by the French press raised a controversy over the desirability of continuing Gumbel's appointment at the University of Lyon. 1934. |
| Box 4 Folder 6 | Memoir. A short memoir containing Gumbel's reflections on his life and the events, which he witnessed and participated in. Undated. |
| Box 4 Folder 7 | Statements
|
| Box 4 Folder 8-9 | Office of Strategic Services. Correspondence and papers related to Gumbel's work for the OSS. During World War II he had prepared reports for the OSS concerning the activities of subversive German political groups in the 20's and 30's, especially the Nazi party and the Freikorps. Ca. 1940-45. |