Skip to main content

Sigmund A. Cohn / Suzanne Lewy Cohn Collection

 Collection
Identifier: AR 11084 / MF 852

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists predominantly of correspondence between Sigmund A. Cohn and his parents, his letters to various public and private agencies in an unsuccesful attempt to get his parents out of Germany as well as correspondence related to obtain restitution. Included in the collection are genealogical papers, autobiographies of various family members, and documents related to Sigmund A. Cohn's studies and work.

See inventory list.

Dates

  • Creation: 1837-1997

Creator

Language of Materials

This collection is in German and English.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Access Information

Collection is digitized. Follow the links in the Container List to access the digitized materials.

Collection is microfilmed (MF 852).

Use Restrictions

No materials shall be published or quoted in published materials without notifying the donor Marianne Freeman and obtaining permission from her or her heirs.

Biographical Note

Sigmund Albert Cohn (June 6, 1898 - March 14, 1997), Professor of Law at the University of Georgia, was born in Breslau, Germany. He studied law and economics at the University of Breslau, where he was awarded the law degree 'magna cum laude' in 1921. After serving his legal apprenticeship he joined the Department of Justice in Berlin and was appointed as a lifetime judge in 1921. He married Suzanne Lewy (born November 23, 1902, Breslau, died August 1987, Athens, Georgia) in 1925. In 1933 he was ousted from his position, when Hitler's racial decrees removed Jewish public servants. Therefore the Cohn family emigrated to Genoa, Italy, where Sigmund Cohn earned a doctor of jurisprudence with high honors in 1934. Subsequently he affiliated with a law practice and became an assistant to the chair of economics at the University of Genoa. The Cohn family was forced to emigrate again, when Mussolini, having joined with the Axis, instituted Hitler's racial decrees in Italy. Knowing the obstacles to obtaining a visa to enter the United States, Sigmund Cohn initially obtained visas enabling his family to emigrate to Colombia, South America or Costa Rica. At the same time he applied to numerous American colleges and universities for a teaching position which, if secured, would enable immigration to the US outside of the strictures of American immigration laws. He succeeded in obtaining an assistant professorship in languages at the University of Georgia. 1939 Sigmund Cohn came to Athens, Georgia, with his wife Susan and his two daughters, Eva and Marianne. Sigmund Cohn taught Italian, German, and Spanish courses at the University of Georgia until 1944, when he became an assistant professor at the law school.

He became a full professor in 1947. He taught a variety of commercial law courses and initiated courses in international law. Along with Prof. Robert Leavell, Dr. Cohn played a central role in the recodification of Georgia's corporations law in the 1960s. He retired in 1964. In the early 1930s Sigmund Cohn co-authored two German books commenting on aspects of German law. He was the author of numerous book reviews and articles published in American law journals.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Abstract

The collection consists predominantly of correspondence between Sigmund A. Cohn and his parents, his letters to various public and private agencies in an unsuccesful attempt to get his parents out of Germany as well as correspondence related to obtain restitution. Included in the collection are genealogical papers, autobiographies of various family members, and documents related to Sigmund A. Cohn's studies and work.

Arrangement

  1. Box 1: FAMILY DOCUMENTS & MEMOIRS
  2. Box 2: SIGMUND A. COHN: LETTERS & DOCUMENTS
  3. Box 3: SIGMUND A. COHN: DOCTORAL THESES, CORRESPONDENCE
  4. Box 4: RESTITUTION PROCESS - PART 1
  5. Box 5: RESTITUTION PROCESS - PART 2: ARTICLES, OBITUARIES
  6. OVERSIZED MATERIALS

Other Finding Aid

List of documents in file (provided by donor)

Microfilm

Collection is available on 5 reels of microfilm (MF 852).

  1. Reel 1: 1A/1-7A
  2. Reel 2: 1B/7A-2/10
  3. Reel 3: Box 2, Folder 11/1 - Box 3, Folder 17
  4. Reel 4: Box 3, Folder 18 - Box 4, Folder 19/3
  5. Reel 5: Box 5, Folders 19/4-22

Separated Material

Photographs have been removed to the LBI Photograph Collection.

Title
Guide to the Sigmund A. Cohn / Suzanne Lewy Cohn Collection, 1837-1997 AR 11084 / MF 852
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by LBI Staff
Date
© 2010
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Revision Statements

  • October 31, 2013 : Links to digital objects added in Container List.

Repository Details

Part of the Leo Baeck Institute Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States