Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Auden, W. H. (Wystan Hugh), 1907-1973
- Abstract:
- The Hansen, K. mss, 1950-1951, consists of letters from poet Wystan Hugh (W. H.) Auden, 1907-1973, to his German translator, Kurt Heinrich Hansen, 1913-1987.
- Extent:
- 1 folio
- Language:
- English , German .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Hansen, K. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Wystan Hugh (W. H.) Auden, 1907-1973, was born in York, England, on 21 February 1907. He studied English at Christ Church College, Oxford University, and graduated in 1928. His collection Poems, published in 1930, launched his career as a poet. From 1930 to 1961, he taught English at various locations in the United Kingdom and in the United States, became an American citizen in 1946, and moved back to Oxford at the end of his life. In 1947, Auden won the Pulitzer Prize for The Age of Anxiety. He died in Vienna, Austria, on 29 September 1973.
Kurt Heinrich Hansen, 1913-1987, who was a German translator of English-language literature, translated many of Auden's works into German.
- Scope and Content:
The Hansen, K. mss, 1950-1951, consists of letters from poet Wystan Hugh Auden, 1907-1973, to his German translator, Kurt Heinrich Hansen, 1913-1987. The main topic discussed is Hansen's translation of Auden's Age of Anxiety, the first German edition of which was published in 1951. In the first letter he explains the metre of his poetry in that work, describes the Seven Stages as being a dream journey over the human body, and points out the importance of realizing that Rosetta is an "emancipated Jewess." Other letters discuss his agents to be contacted for translation rights and other English poets that Hansen should look into translating. In the penultimate letter Auden states he is pleased to hear the translation is published and looks forward to seeing a copy. All of the letters are written from Italy to Hansen in Hamburg.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 2007
- Arrangement:
This collection is arranged following original order.
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Folio
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Hansen, K. mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu