Norman Fruman Papers
Scope and Contents
The materials in this collection were created from 1712-2012. The bulk of the collection
is textual material either written or collected by noted English Literature scholar Dr.
Norman Fruman. This includes manuscripts of Dr. Fruman’s books, articles, and fiction
as well as copies of his research materials. The collection also includes personal
journals and correspondence. Whenever possible, care was taken to keep the materials
in their original order to facilitate research.
Series I: Norman Fruman’s Writing and Publications
Inclusive Dates: 1801-2007
Arrangement: Alphabetical and thereunder chronological
This large series consists of six subseries: a. Essays, 1801-2001; b. Fiction, 1950-1983;
c. Biographia Literaria, 1817-1987; d. The Damaged Archangel, 1972-1983; e: Book
Reviews, 1975-2007; and f: College and Graduate School Papers, 1958-1962. As well
as Fruman’s own writing, many of the folders contain copies of older works that Fruman
likely used for research. Whenever possible, Dr. Fruman’s original order and names for
folders were maintained.
Series II: Personal Materials
Inclusive Dates: 1932-2012
Arrangement: Chronological for subseries a-b then alphabetical for
subseries c-f
This large series is organized into six subseries: a. Personal Letters and Journals,
1943-2001; b. Other Correspondence, 1932-2012; c. Ephemera, 1948-2011; d.
Audio/Visual, 1940-1997; e: Biographical Materials, 1956-2012; and f: World War II
Materials, 1945-2006. The materials contain Fruman’s bound personal journals, his
letters, and ephemera. Some notable items in the series include a letter detailing an
event between Fruman and another Prisoner of War during World War II and a letter
from controversial scholar Camile Paglia. Whenever possible, Dr. Fruman’s original
order and names for folders were maintained.
Dates
- Creation: 1712 - 2012
Conditions Governing Use
The Pictures of Our Past Collection is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Norman Fruman (1923-2012) is a noted literary scholar best known for his 1971
book Coleridge, The Damaged Archangel (1971). He was born in the Bronx, New York
and attended school in New York City, earning his Master’s Degree from Columbia
University in 1948 and his Ph.D. from New York University in 1960. While still attending
the City University of New York for his undergraduate degree, Fruman was sent to fight
in World War II. He rose to the rank of platoon leader in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow
Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a prisoner of war in a Bavarian
prison camp until his release in 1945.
Fruman wrote for The American Comics Group after earning his M.A. and also won the
television quiz show “The $64,000 Challenge” in 1957. After earning his doctorate in
1960, Fruman taught English at California State University, Los Angeles from 1959 to
1978 and later the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities from 1978 to 1994.
Dr. Fruman was a public critic of political correctness in the university, especially in
regards to his own field of study. He was a founding member of the Association of
Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers as well as a board member of the National
Association of Scholars.
Fruman died in 2012 from cancer, leaving behind three children and Doris, his wife for
53 years.
Extent
73.83 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Dr. Norman Fruman (1923-2012) is a noted literary scholar best known for his 1971 book Coleridge, The Damaged Archangel (1971). He was born in the Bronx, New York and attended school in New York City, earning his Master’s Degree from Columbia University in 1948 and his Ph.D. from New York University in 1960. While still attending the City University of New York for his undergraduate degree, Fruman was sent to fight in World War II. He rose to the rank of platoon leader in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a prisoner of war in a Bavarian prison camp until his release in 1945. Fruman wrote for The American Comics Group after earning his M.A. and also won the television quiz show “The $64,000 Challenge” in 1957. After earning his doctorate in 1960, Fruman taught English at California State University, Los Angeles from 1959 to 1978 and later the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities from 1978 to 1994. Dr. Fruman was a public critic of political correctness in the university, especially in regards to his own field of study. He was a founding member of the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers as well as a board member of the National Association of Scholars. Fruman died in 2012 from cancer, leaving behind three children and Doris, his wife for 53 years.
Arrangement
The collections is organized into six series: I. Norman Fruman’s Writing and Publications; II. Personal Materials; III. Others’ Scholarship; IV. Notes; V. Pedagogical Materials, VI. Awards and Degrees. Each of the six series consists of subseries. Series I. Norman Fruman’s Writing and Publications is organized into six subseries: a. Essays; b. Fiction; c. Biographia Literaria; d. Damaged Archangel; e. Book Reviews; and f. College and Graduate School Papers. Series II. Personal Materials is organized into six subseries: a. Personal Letters and Journals; b. Other Correspondence; c. Ephemera; d. Audio/Visual; e. Biographical Materials; and f. World War II Materials. Series III. Others’ Scholarship is organized into five subseries: a. Bound Articles; b. Articles by Date; c. Articles by Theme; d. Longer Works; and e. Newspaper/Magazine Clippings. Series IV. Notes is organized into five subseries: a. General Notes; b. Originality; c. Biographia Literaria; d. Retirement; and e. Loose Notes. Series V. Pedagogical Materials is organized into three subseries: a. Pedagogical Materials; b. Lectures; and c. Audio/Visual. Series VI. Awards and Degrees organized into two subseries: a. Awards; and b. Oversized Awards and Degrees.
- Title
- Norman Fruman Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Allina Nunley, Christina Cartney, and Nell Gram
- Date
- 2017
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Library South, Room 2079, 5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles CA 90032
(323)343-3960
SpecialCollections@calstatela.edu