Collection ID: LMC 2836
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Călinescu, Matei
Abstract:
The Calinescu, Matei mss., 1959-2009, consists of the correspondence and diaries of literary critic and Indiana University professor of comparative literature Matei Calinescu.
Extent:
8 Boxes
Language:
Materials are in English and Romanian.
Preferred citation:

[Item], Calinescu, Matei mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Matei Calinescu, born and educated in Bucharest, Romania, was a distinguished Romanian and American literary critic and writer, publishing 14 books of literary criticism and more than 150 articles. He began his academic career in 1960 as an assistant professor at the University of Bucharest and eventually moved his career to IU Bloomington as a visiting scholar and Fullbright lecturer. He remained at Indiana University for the rest of his career until his death in 2009.

Calinescu published many well-known pieces of literary criticism, including Five Faces of Modernity: Modernism, Avant-Garde, Decadence, Kitsch, Postmodernism, (1997). He also wrote several memoirs, poetry and novels, including The Life and Opinions of Zacharias Lichter. His memoirs include Matthew's Enigma, about his relationship with his son, who was diagnosed with autism. Calinsescu also received several awards and honors: he was a Guggenheim fellow in 1975-76, a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow, and a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. He received Romania's highest honor, the medal Pentru Merit by the President of Romania in 2000.

Calinescu was married to Adriana Gane (b. 1941) and had two children, Irina (b. 1965) and Matthew (b. 1977).

Scope and Content:

This collection includes the correspondence and diaries of Indiana University professor of comparative literature Matei Calinescu. Calinescu's scholarly work focused on twentieth-century literature, modernity, avant-garde literature, and theories of reading and rereading. Calinescu was also interested in the literary and intellectual output from his native Romania and corresponded with various intellectuals in the Romanian diaspora.

Acquisition information:
Acquired: 2014
Arrangement:

This collection has been maintained in its original order, arranged into two series: I. Correspondence and II. Diaries. This collection also includes an additional file of various Publications Lists and Book Lists.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research. The subseries Personal II in Correspondence series, in Box 6, is closed to researchers. Advance notice required.

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], Calinescu, Matei 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