Franklin C. West Collection

This collection holds the research papers of the historian Franklin C. West. The primary subject of this collection is the writing of Emil Ludwig. The collection largely consists of notes and copies of articles relating to Emil Ludwig's writing and works. Other papers found here include correspondence, copies of Emil Ludwig's writing, articles relating to popular biographies, and copies of archival material relating to Emil Ludwig.

Series I contains documents that pertain to Franklin C. West's work. It includes correspondence as well as notes and unpublished drafts. West's correspondence relates to his research into Emil Ludwig's work as well as his interest in publishing his own writing on Ludwig. Correspondence in Series I is between West and other researchers as well as with Emil Ludwig's son. Most of the notes found in Series I are lecture notes on popular biographers and Emil Ludwig, with one folder containing speculative notes on future work. Several versions of West's article on Leo Lowenthal's research in popular biography are also located in Series I.

Specific research on Emil Ludwig comprises Series II. In Series II are notes and collected copies of articles on Ludwig's life and work as well as on the writing of biographical novels. Especially significant in Series II are the many reviews and criticisms of Ludwig's works, as well as copies of some of his works. This series includes biographical notes on Emil Ludwig as well as brief family trees and genealogical notes. In addition, there are copies of assembled archival material relating to Emil Ludwig, especially copies of his correspondence with others. General notes in Series II include numerous index cards with notes on Ludwig's writing and its historical and literary context. Other notes focus on Ludwig's specific works or mention his writing in general. Collected articles and some notes provide information on the development of the biographical novel and popular biography during the interwar years.