University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Otto G. von Simson Papers 1944-1957

Descriptive Summary

Title:	Simson, Otto G. von. Papers
Dates:	1944-1957
Size:	1.75 linear feet (4 boxes)
Repository:	Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
Abstract:	Otto Georg von Simson (1912-1993), historian of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, served on the faculties of the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought and Department of Art from 1945-1957. This collection documents Otto von Simson's work at the University of Chicago as an art historian, administrator, teacher and advocate for German and Austrian scholars. Material in the collection includes correspondence, drafts and proofs of publications and lectures, meeting agendas, research proposals, and course materials.

Information on Use

Access

Series III contains student grades, evaluations and recommendations. This material is restricted for 80 years.

The remainder of the collection is open for research.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Simson, Otto G. von. Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Otto Georg von Simson (1912-1993), historian of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, served on the faculties of the University of Chicago's Department of Art and Committee on Social Thought from 1945-1957.

Born to a distinguished German family of Jewish and Catholic heritage, Simson grew up in the home of his grandfather, the chemist and industrialist Franz Oppenheim. Simson studied art history in Freiburg, Berlin, and Munich; his dissertation on Rubens, Zur Geneaologie der weltlichen Apotheose im Barock, besonders der Medicigalerie des Peter Paul Rubens, was published in 1936. In the same year, he married the princess Aloysia Alexandra von Schoenburg-Hartenstein (known as "Louise" or "Lulix"). He worked at the Courtauld Institute Library, and as an editor of Hochland, a Catholic literary periodical published in Munich.

In 1939, Simson fled Germany for the United States, under the pretext of visiting American art museums. His wife and children followed. Simson taught at Marymount College and St. Mary's College before University of Chicago President Robert M. Hutchins offered him a position on the Committee on Social Thought in 1945. He also joined the faculty of the Department of Art. In the interdisciplinary Committee on Social Thought, Simson served as Executive Secretary under the leadership of John U. Nef, and edited Measure: A Critical Journal. He became a full professor in 1951.

During his time at the University of Chicago, von Simson produced his two major works: The Sacred Fortress: Byzantine Art and Statecraft in Ravenna was published in 1948. The Gothic Cathedral: Origins of Gothic Architecture and the Medieval Concept of Order followed in 1956.

In 1946, Simson urged Robert M. Hutchins to assist German and Austrian scholars through the solicitation of donations and distribution of material aid. This proposal led to the formation of the Committee for Aid to German and Austrian Scholars, which Hutchins himself chaired. German and Austrian scholars began to turn to the committee as a means of seeking job opportunities in the United States; this secondary function of the committee evolved into a student and faculty exchange program between the University of Chicago and the University of Hamburg.

In 1957, Simson returned to Germany, where he served in positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the University of Frankfurt, and in UNESCO. He became Director of the Kunsthistorisches Institut of the Freie Universitaet in Berlin in 1964, where he remained until 1979.

Scope Note

This collection documents Otto von Simson's work at the University of Chicago as an art historian, administrator, teacher and advocate for German and Austrian scholars. It includes material related to Simson's work with the Committee on Social Thought, Department of Art, and Committee for Aid to German and Austrian Scholars.

Series I: Correspondence, spans the years 1944-1957. Files are arranged chronologically by year. This series includes incoming and outgoing letters and memoranda, as well as a small number of related meeting minutes, agendas and notes. Von Simson's correspondents includes colleagues at the University of Chicago and other institutions, university administrators, publishers, editors, students, and professional organizations. Within this series are personal letters from important art historians and theologians, as well as writers and artists, including Marc Chagall. Some of von Simson's early correspondence relates to his work with the Committee for Aid to German and Austrian Scholars; much of this material is in German, and found in one folder of correspondence dating from 1946-1949. Additional German-language correspondence is interfiled with the remaining folders in the series.

Series II: Subject Files, spans the years 1945-1957, with files arranged alphabetically. The subjects reflect a variety of von Simson's research, teaching and administrative interests: This series contains files on seminars and courses, university departments and committees, material related to the University of Frankfurt exchange program, and the research interests of Simson and his colleagues. Also included are files on The Sacred Fortress, The Gothic Cathedral, and Simson's published articles and reviews. Material in this series includes correspondence, drafts and proofs of publications and lectures, publishing agreements, meeting agendas, research grant proposals, and course materials.

Series III: Restricted, contains student grades, evaluations and recommendations from 1945-1957.

Related Resources

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

Browse finding aids by topic.

Nef, John U. Papers

University of Chicago. Committee for Aid to German and Austrian Scholars. Records

University of Chicago. John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought. Records

Subject Headings

Simson, Otto Georg von, 1912-
Committee for Aid to German and Austrian Scholars
University of Chicago. Dept. of Art
University of Chicago. Committee on Social Thought
Art historians

INVENTORY

Series I: Correspondence

Box 1 Folder 1

1944-1946

Adler, Mortimer J.
Andreason, David
Beals, Ralph
Beard, Charles
Beichmans, Sister
Bell, Laird
Benton, William
Boeker, Alexander
Boorstin, Daniel
Catholic Youth Organization
Chagall, Marc
College Art Association of America
Connerton, Joseph
Douglas, James H.
Education for Freedom, Inc.
Finkelstein, Louis
Flynn, Vincent
Gemelli, Agostino
Gertrude, Madame
Grabo, Carl H.
Grene, David
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Hutchins, Robert M.
Kantorowicz, Ernst H.
Kaufman, Joe
Kraeuter, Franz
Kubler, George
Lang, Reginald D.
Lee, Rensselaer W.
Madeleva, Sister M.
Medieval Academy
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Morris, Rudolph Edward
Mueller, Franz
Nef, John U.
Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS)
Pargellis, Stanley
Pelligrini and Cudahy
von Preysing, Konrad
Regnery, Henry
Rosaire, Marie
Rosenstock-Huessy, Eugen
Rosenthal, Julius
Sheil, Bernard James
Strittmatter, Anselm
United States Department of State
United States War Department
University of Chicago, Central Administration
University of Chicago, Committee on Social Thought
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
University of Chicago, Student Art Club
Wind, Egar

Box 1 Folder 2

German, 1946-1949

Adolph, R.
Baumgaertel, D.
Bergstraesser, Arnold
Broch, Hermann
Burckhardt, Henry
Clemen, Wolfgang
Eibel, W.
von Ficker, R.
Fischer, Max
Forell, F.J.
Gschnitzer, Franz
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Hoops, Johannes
Kahler, Erich
Klingner, F.
Kraeuter, Franz
Kretzschmar, Hugo
von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, Erik
Lauser, Theodor
Lotz, Wolfgang
Martiny, Guenter
Molden, Fritz P.
Molden, Otto
Morper, J.J.
Nef, John U.
Palm, Erwin Walter
Pauck, Wilhelm
Peterhaus
Picard, Max
Rademacher, Ludwig
Regnery, Henry
Richter
Schuchhardt, W.-H.
Schuwerack, Wilhelm
Schwietering, Julius
Sigwart, Hans
Sydow, Juergen
Unger, Heinz
Wenzl, Aloys
Wotschitzky, Alfons
Wurthmann, H.
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 3

1947

Aquinas, Sister
Berger, Klaus
Boorstin, Daniel
Branch, William M.
Brethren Service Committee
Bronstein, Beverly
Chicago Committee to Win the Peace
Colwell, Ernest Cadman
Cotton, Albert F.
D'Arms, Edward F.
Edelstein, Renate E.
Erasmus
Evans, Joseph P.
Gemelli, Agostino
Heltzel, Virgil B.
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Heywood, Robert
Hutchins, Robert M.
Jocelyn, M.
Kahler, Erich
Kempner, Frederick
Ladner, Gerhart
Lalley, Joseph M.
Lang, Reginald D.
Leary, Warren D.
Lisco, Hermann
Mallery, Otto T.
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Munnecke, Wilbur C.
Nef, John U.
Palm, Erwin Walter
Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS)
O'Malley, Frank
Overby, Carl
Phelan, Gerald B.
Piper, Otto A.
Program Information Exchange
Rado, Mrs. Sandor
Rich, Daniel Catton
Riezler, Kurt
Scheimann, Richard
Schulz, Ervin M.
Shils, Edward M.
Sternfeld, Frederick W.
Stokowski, Olga
Thomson, S. Harrison
University of Chicago, Committee on Social Thought
University of Chicago, Division of the Humanities
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
Weaver, Richard M.
Wolff, Kurt
Wright, Louise L.
Wright, Quincy
Yankes, Mrs. Peter N.
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 4

1948

Alciatore, Jules
Baron, Hans
Bergstraesser, Arnold
Bieler, Ludwig
Branch, William M.
Bruening, H.
Charles, Robert J.
Churchill, Alfred Vance
Cotton, Albert F.
Colwell, Ernest Cadman
Couch, William T.
Friedmann, Georges
Friend, A.M., Jr.
Hamilton, Earl
Held, Julius S.
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Kempner, Paul
von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, Erik
Kuhn, Charles L.
Ladner, George
Lang, Reginald D.
Lisco, Hermann
Madeleva, M.
McKenzie, Margaret
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Mohler, O.
Munnecke, Wilbur C.
Murphey, Donald W.
Nef, John U.
Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS)
O'Malley, Frank
Pauck, Wilhelm
Peter, Mary
The Progressive
Rooney, Donald J.
Savage, Alma
Scheffer, Mrs. Paul
Scheimann, Richard
Schneewind, Carl O.
Sheil, Bernard James
Smith, Lawrence
Sternfeld, Frederick W.
Strittmatter, Anselm
Tyler, Ralph W.
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
Weickert, Carl
Weiss, Paul
Wieck, Fred
Wilmeth, Hal
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 5

1949

Art Institute of Chicago
Biesel, Frances
Cardinal, Edward V.
Christ-Janer, Albert
College Art Association of America
Colwell, Ernest Cadman
Gewirth, Alan
Held, Julius S.
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Heywood, Robert B.
International StudyTour Alliance
Ladner, Gerhart
Lang, Reginald D.
Lyttle, Charles H.
Medieval Academy of America
Molden, Fritz P.
Nef, John U.
Perry, Charner M.
Rich, Daniel Catton
Ritchie, William
Scheffer, Paul
Sweet, Fred A.
University of Chicago, Central Administration
University of Chicago, Division of the Social Sciences
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
University of Chicago, Office of the Treasurer
University of Chicago Press
Weiss, Paul A.
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 6

1950

Bergmann, John
Cardinal, Edward V.
Diamond, Edwin
Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Harvard University
Frankfort, H.
Gilbert, Felix
Haenel, Joachim A.
Harrison, R. Wendell
Held, Julius S.
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Heywood, Robert B.
Hutchins, Robert M.
International House
International Rescue Committee
International StudyTour Alliance
John Stocks Travel Service
Jung, E.M.
Kitzinger, Ernst
Kraeling, Carl H.
Lang, Reginald D.
Marymount College
Maunoury, Jean
Meaney, John
Meyer, Ernst Wilhelm
Meyer, John H.
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Moore, Philip S.
Moser, Simon
National Catholic Welfare Conference
Nef, John U.
Newberry Library
O'Laughlin, Frank
Osman, John
Ostwald, Martin and Lore
Perl, Carl Johann
Petersen, William
Pieper, Josef
Quiévreux, F.
Rich, Daniel Catton
Rinn, Hermann
Ritchie, William
Rothfels, Hans
Soria, Martin S.
Strittmatter, Anselm
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
University of Chicago, Central Administration
University of Chicago, Committee on Social Thought
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
Zimmer-Lehmann, Georg
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 7

1951

Art Institute of Chicago
American Education Abroad, Inc.
Colwell, Ernest Cadman
Delatour, G.S.
Diamond, Edward
Friend, A.M., Jr.
Harris, Cynthia
Harvard School for Boys
Hutchins, Robert M.
Lang, Reginald D.
Maedebach
Meyer, John H.
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Nef, John U.
Paepcke, Walter P.
Rich, Daniel Catton
di Salvatore, Nino
Shils, Edward A.
Strozier, Robert M.
Stumpf, Manfred
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
Thomson, S. Harrison
Tselos, Dimitri
Tyler, Ralph W.
University of Chicago High School
University of Chicago, Office of the Bursar
University of Chicago, Office of the Comptroller
University of Chicago, Office of the Treasurer
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 8

1952-1953

Alexander, Paul
Baron, Hans
Branch, W.M.
Cairns, Huntington
d'Entréves, A.P.
Fussler, Herman H.
Gilchrist, Mrs. John M.
Grassi, E.
Hitchcock, H.R.
Jonas, Hans
Kimball, Fiske
Library of Congress
Maunoury, Jean
Meyer, John
Meyer, William H.
Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio
Nef, John U.
Petrone, Giuseppe
Platt, Robert S.
Redfield, Robert
Rich, Daniel Catton
Ritchie, William
Schapiro, Meyer
Sedlmayr, Hans
Strayer, Joseph M.
Tyler, Ralph W.
Weisman, Winston
White, Alice
Wilt, Napier
University of Chicago, General Library
Unidentified correspondents

Box 1 Folder 9

1954-1955

American Committee for Emigré Scholars, Writers and Artists, Inc.
Barrett, John D.
Bibliothèque Nationale
Boase
Bollingen Series
Branner, Robert
Cook, Walter W.S.
Cooperative Bureau for Teachers
Coremans, Paul
Dempf, A.
Dressler, Fridolin
Druse, Joseph L.
Educational Exchange Service
E. Weyhe
Gargan, Edward
Gerstenberg
Grene, David
Harris, Chauncy D.
von Hayek, Friedrich A.
Held, Julius H.
Hermens, Ferdinand Aloys
Heydenreich, Ludwig
Hocking, Richard
Howerton, Georg
Howland, Richard H.
Hutchins, Robert M.
Janson, H.W.
Kirk, Russell
Kwiat, Joseph H.
Lang, Reginald D.
Loewith, Karl
Maunoury, Jean
McGuire, William
McRee, James F.
Middeldorf, Ulrich A.
Nelson, Benjamin
Olivetti, Ing. G.
Porada, Edith
Quain, Edwin A.
Regnery, Henry
Religious Education Association of the United States and Canada
Rich, Daniel Catton
Schapiro, Meyer
Schwietering, Julius
Shaw, Alfred P.
Sheed, Frank
Shuster, George E.
Singer, Milton
Speculum
Urdal, Lloyd
Weissman, Kurt
Wilt, Napier
Wolff, Kurt
Wornom, Herman E.
Unidentified correspondents

Box 2 Folder 1

1956

Bollingen Series
Clark, Stephen C.
Fowlie, Wallace
Franklin, Norman
Gilbert, Felix
Ginsburg, Norton S.
Kahnweiler, Daniel-Henry
Lang, Reginald D.
Meiss, Millard
Miller, Dorothy C.
Mims, Helen S.
Museum of Modern Art
Pantheon Books
Reaney, John
Rosaire, Marie
Rotter, Elfriede
Schoeningh, Franz Josef
Scoledes, A.G.M.
Speaight, Robert
Wieck, Fred
Unidentified correspondents

Box 2 Folder 2

1956-1957

Bachhofer, Ludwig
Bollingen Series
Bowen, Carroll G.
Boyer, Edna D.
Cox, Leonard
Eydoux, Henri-Paul
Harris, Chauncy D.
Hutchins, Robert M.
Kim, Chrysostom
Kirk, Russell
Krautheimer, Richard
Lang, Reginald D.
Levy, Ernst
Lowry, Bates
Maser, Edward A.
Medievalia et Humanistica
Mims, Helen S.
Mueller, Franz H.
O'Connell, John P.
Pantheon Books
Regnery, Henry
Renaissance Society of America
Rheinstein, Max
Rimli, Eugen T.
Scherer, Robert
Squibb, Francis
Strittmatter, Anselm
University of Chicago, Personnel Office
Weller, Allen S.
Wieck, Fred

Series II: Subject Files

Box 2 Folder 3-5

Articles and reviews, typescripts and correspondence, 1945-1956

Box 2 Folder 6

"The Art of the Greek Church," lecture, typescript and correspondence, 1954

Box 2 Folder 7

Chicago Fine Arts Program, typescript, circa 1957

Box 2 Folder 8

Committee on Social Thought, seminar proposal

Box 2 Folder 9

Committee on the William Vaughn Moody Lectures, agenda, 1951

Box 2 Folder 10

Gothic architecture, correspondence, 1950-1953

Box 2 Folder 11-13

The Gothic Cathedral, correspondence, drafts, proofs and publishing agreement, 1954-1955

Box 2 Folder 14

Gourevitch, Victor, research proposal, undated

Box 2 Folder 15

Graham Foundation, correspondence, pamphlet and meeting agenda, 1957

Box 2 Folder 16

Islamic Civilization, course and program proposals, 1957

Box 3 Folder 1

"The Medieval Vision," film series, scripts and correspondence, 1957

Box 3 Folder 2

"Partisan Review," statement and prospectus, undated

Box 3 Folder 3

Post office claim, correspondence, 1950-1952

Box 3 Folder 4-5

Research grants, proposals and correspondence, 1947-1955

Box 3 Folder 6

The Sacred Fortress, correspondence and publishing agreements, 1947-1956

Box 3 Folder 7

Schwietering, Julius, recommendation, undated

Box 3 Folder 8

Seminar proposal, undated

Box 3 Folder 9

Shiels, W. Eugene, "History as an Integrating Discipline," typescript and correspondence, 1953

Box 3 Folder 10

University of California, court proceeding, 1951

Box 3 Folder 11

University of Frankfurt faculty exchange program, correspondence, 1948-1953

Series III: Restricted

Box 4 Folder 1-4

Student evaluative material, 1945-1957 (Restricted until 2037.)