Joseph Jastrow papers, 1875-1961 and undated

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Collection is open for research. However, glass plate negatives are closed to general use. Viewing copies may need to be made for access to content. Other access only with permission of Rubenstein...
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Summary

Creator:
Jastrow, Joseph, 1863-1944
Abstract:
Collection contains correspondence; lectures, speeches, prose, and poetry; published articles; book reviews; photographs and negatives; a scrapbook; and newspaper clippings. Subjects include the Jastrow family of Philadelphia and the Szold family of Baltimore, early psychology and psychophysics, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Jewish society and Judaism in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and the Zionist movement. Correspondents include his father, Talmudic scholar Marcus Jastrow, and sister-in-law and U.S. Zionist movement leader, Henrietta Szold. Papers also include information on Joseph Jastrow's adopted son, Benjamin (Benno) Jastrow; a typed memoir, circa 1920, by Benno's biological father contains a moving account of the tragic outcome of the Spanish influenza epidemic (1918-1919), which led to the adoption of the infant Benno by the Jastrow family. Glass plates in the collection contain charts of symbols which may be results of experiments in involuntary hand movements, traced by his invention, the "automograph."
Extent:
6.5 Linear Feet (12 boxes)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.10121

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of Joseph Jastrow (1863-1944), a scholar and writer pioneering in the field of psychology, most of his career spent at the University of Wisconsin. It includes correspondence of Jastrow and his wife, Rachel (Szold) Jastrow, with their families, principally concerning family matters, but with references to affairs of the University of Wisconsin; Judaism in Baltimore, Maryland, and Madison, Wisconsin; and the Zionist movement.

Also included are photographs of the Szold and Jastrow families, and a set of glass plate negatives with charts of symbols, perhaps showing the results of experiments in involuntary hand movements, traced by his invention, the "automograph." psychology experiments.

There are manuscripts of Jastrow's lectures, speeches, prose and poetry; galley proofs of several articles; a diary kept during a vacation in Spain; a scrapbook containing copies of his articles and book reviews; a compilation of his early writings; copies of his articles in pamphlet form; and newspaper clippings.

Personal papers also include information on Joseph Jastrow's adopted son, Benjamin (Benno) Jastrow; a typed memoir, circa 1920, by Benno's biological father contains a moving account of the tragic outcome of the Spanish influenza epidemic (1918-1919), which led to the adoption of the infant Benno by the Jastrow family.

Biographical / historical:

Polish-born Joseph Jastrow (1863-1944), was a psychologist and professor at the University of Wisconsin. He was one of the founding members of the American Society for Psychical Research, and was a pioneer in the field of psychology, specializing in optical illusions, the psychology of the blind, and parapsychology, and brought his research to public attention through lectures and popular culture magazines. He was married to Rachel (Szold) Jastrow.

Acquisition information:
The Joseph Jastrow Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1959.
Processing information:

Processed by Rubenstein Library staff.

Physical facet:
approximately 1,015 items
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

However, glass plate negatives are closed to general use. Viewing copies may need to be made for access to content. Other access only with permission of Rubenstein staff.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48-hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Joseph Jastrow Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.