Skip to main content

Elizabeth Seaver Helfman papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 0620

Scope and Contents

The Elizabeth Seaver Wentworth Helfman Papers contain correspondence, 1930-79; a journal, 1930-33; a diary, 1931-1932, 1933, 1934 and 1939; writings, including a book entitled "This hungry world," written by Elizabeth S. Helfman; and an oral history interview, 1979. The correspondence includes excerpts from letters written to her brother Robert Seaver, dated 1930-31, and letters to and from Helen Voorhees concerning Elizabeth's employment. The journal chiefly includes introspective thoughts, with few references to daily occurences. The diary includes regular entries which comment on her moods, books and concerts and friends. The writings include a list of the books published by Elizabeth S. Helfman, mostly written for young adults. The oral history interview was conducted on May 2, 1979 by Audrey Bornstein. There is also a edited transcript of the interview copied from "Chimes of Change and Hours," 1983.

Dates

  • Creation: 1927-1979

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted

Biographical Note

Elizabeth Wentworth Seaver was born on August 1, 1911. She graduated from Northampton High School before attending Mount Holyoke in 1929. She received an A.B. from Mount Holyoke College in 1933, and a M.A. from Radcliffe College in 1934. From 1938-39 she attended the Cooperative School for Student Teachers. She then became a third grade teacher at the Thomas School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1941 she began teaching nursery school, but soon moved to Woodward School in Brooklyn, New York. In 1942 she married Harry Carmozin Helfman and they had one child. Helfman then began writing children's books.

Extent

1 boxes (1933 Seaver)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Helfman, Elizabeth Wentworth Seaver, 1911- ; Author and teacher. Mount Holyoke College graduate, 1933. Papers contain correspondence, journal, diary, and writings. Primarily documenting her thoughts, social activities and relationships with friends and family. Also includes her book entitled, "This hungry world."

Title
Helfman Papers
Subtitle
Finding Aid
Status
Unprocessed
Date
© 2004
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Encoding funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Repository Details

Part of the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
50 College Street
8 Dwight Hall
South Hadley MA 01075-6425 USA
413-538-3079