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Roderick Seidenberg and Mabel Dwight Papers

 Collection
Identifier: R0105-RS

  • Staff Only
  • Place requests at folder level.

Scope and Contents

The Roderick Seidenberg and Mabel Dwight Papers describe the activities and literary works of Roderick Seidenberg and Mabel Dwight in addition to Dwight's lithographic print artwork. A large portion of this collection consists of Dwight's correspondence with Seidenberg. The collection also contains materials related to Seidenberg's time as a conscientious objector and internment. Materials are mainly textual and include correspondence, personal files, news clippings, publications, short stories, and manuscripts. Photographs and prints are also present.

Dates

  • Creation: 1917-1974

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Historical Note

Roderick Seidenberg (b.1889 - d.1973) was born on October 20, 1889 in Heidelberg, Germany. He studied architecture for four years between 1906 and 1910. As a U.S. citizen during WWI, his status as a conscientious objector led to interment at Camp Upton in Long Island and Fts. Riley and Leavenworth in Kansas from 1918-1920.

Prior to his interment, he was introduced by his friend Carl Zigrosser to Mabel Williamson Higgens. After her separation from estranged husband Eugene Higgens, Mabel moved into Seidenberg’s apartment. After his release from interment, the couple lived together in Greenwich Village. Though she never married Seidenberg, she was divorced from Higgens and took the name Mabel Dwight at this time. Dwight spent a year in Paris studying with lithographic printers from 1926-1927 and returned to became one of America’s leading lithographic artists.

Seidenberg’s contribution to the literary world began with articles to various magazines, including the original Freeman and the New Freeman that followed it. He also contributed to the Mercury under H.L. Mencken, The Nation and The New Republic. His architectural career included work in a number of New York offices. He was responsible for the exterior of the Hotel New Yorker and the Garment Center Tower in New York.

Extent

6.17 Linear Feet (6 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Collection is organized in six series:

  • Biographical
  • Conscientious Objector Period, 1918-1920
  • Seidenberg Manuscripts
  • Correspondence
  • Mabel Dwight Manuscripts and Prints
  • Photographs

Custodial History

The collection was purchased for the University of Baltimore by John Nicholson from Catherine Howard in 1974.

Condition Description

Some materials suffered smoke and water damage due to fire.

Subject

Title
Finding aid for the Roderick Seidenberg and Mabel Dwight Papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by archives staff. Revised by Aiden Faust (2011). Revised by Laura Bell (2022).
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Baltimore Studies Archives Repository

Contact:
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons, Room 104
1415 Maryland Avenue
Baltimore Maryland 21201 USA
410-837-4253