Collection ID: LMC 2696
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Jovanovich, William, Seaver, Jeannette, Willen, Drenka, Remarque, Erich Maria, 1898-1970, and Goddard, Paulette, 1911-1990
Abstract:
The Jovanovich mss., ca. 1952-1984, consists of correspondence between publisher William Jovanovich, 1920-2001, and various authors published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Extent:
1 Box (1 standard)
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Jovanovich mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

William Jovanovich, 1920-2001, was the director of publishing firm Harcourt, Brace & World from 1954-1991. He was born in Louisville, Colorado on February 6, 1920 to Iliya M. Jovanovich and his wife Jadwiga Garbatz Jovanovich. He entered elementary school speaking only Polish and Serbian. After studying at the University of Colorado, he went on to study English and American Literature at Harvard University. In World War II, he served as a naval officer. While stationed in Mobile, Alabama, he married Martha Evelyn Davis on August 21, 1943 and they went on to have three children: Stefan, Peter, and Martha. After the war, Jovanovich began his career in the publishing industry as a textbook salesman for Harcourt, Brace & Co. By 1953, he had been promoted to the head of Harcourt's school division, and he was named president of the company in 1954. The firm was renamed Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich to honor his work in 1970. In addition to his publishing work, Jovanovich managed several SeaWorld theme parks and wrote his own fiction. Among his publications are an essay collection, Now, Barabbas (1964), and four novels, including The World's Last Night (1990). Jovanovich died on December 4, 2001 in San Diego, California.

Scope and Content:

The Jovanovich mss., ca. 1952-1984, consists of correspondence between publisher William Jovanovich, 1920-2001, and various authors published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, including Jeannette Seaver, Drenka Willen, and others, regarding the publication of Octavio Paz's work Tiempo Nublado. The collection also includes Jovanovich's correspondence with novelist Erich Maria Remarque, as well as with Remarque's wife and then widow, actress Paulette Goddard. Also included is a 300-page heavily-corrected typescript of Erich Maria Remarque's novel The Night in Lisbon (1962).

Acquisition information:
Purchase: 2010
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in the following order: I. Correspondence. II. Play Manuscripts. III. News Clippings. IV. Poster - Paintings and Sculptures of Francois Arnal

Physical location:
Lilly - Stacks

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], Jovanovich mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu