SUB-GROUP: I

Arranged chronologically by year

.5 cubic feet

The correspondence of Joseph Davidson consists of six files. The first file contains a letter of recommendation from Ms. Margaret McLean of the Leland Powers School in Boston dated 1930, and two resumes, one from 1930 and the other a 1976 acting resume. File #2 is his personal correspondence and consists mainly of letters to Prof. Davidson thanking him for his involvement in life at Brooklyn College and in the Jewish Community. File #3 contains letters of congratulations for performances staged at Brooklyn College and File #4 is correspondence dealing with his post at Brooklyn College. File #5 contains his struggle to become a full professor at Brooklyn College and File #6 consist of letters and flyers from the B.C. Alumni Association.

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Arranged chronologically by year

.5 cubic feet

This series deals with Joseph Davidson's career as a teacher but also contains notes and paper from his time as a student at Columbia University from 1928 - 1932. There are his class roll books from the 1930's and a notebook on theater aesthetics. There is a great deal of classroom material from his time as a speech teacher at Brooklyn College. There are also certificates of recognition for his services to theater at B.C. and to the college itself. Finally there are flyers from his memorial service at Brooklyn College and his obituary in the N.Y. Times, following his death on April 3, 1981.

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Arranged chronologically by year

.5 cubic feet

This series consists of four files which detail his professional career. There are flyers concerning his interest as a reader and story teller of Yiddish literature and a summary of his career published by Brooklyn College. Two files contain newsclippings about Prof. Davidson himself and theater in general. There is also a 1959 roster of the B.C. Varsity Players, a prospectus for a play and a collection of playbills from productions not staged at B.C.

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Arranged chronologically by year

.3 cubic feet

Consists of materials relating to theater at Brooklyn College. There are 58 playbills from productions staged at B.C. spanning the period of 1932 through 1980. There is an oversized file containing a scrapbook of "In Abraham's Bosom," BC theater in general and one of Jo Davidson's personal interest in theater. However these scrapbooks are in fragile condition and must be handled carefully. Included in this series is a collection of photographs which show Davidson's personal life and life at B.C. There are also photos of various theater productions, including a set of slides of the play "Hogen's Goat." Of special theatrical interest are five prompt books from plays produced at B.C. and a file consisting of photos and drawings of theater sets from productions staged around the world.

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 SUB-GROUP II: YIDDISH THEATER

.5 cubic feet

Consists of one document case detailing Prof. Davidson's interest in Yiddish Theater, and Judaism in general. There are playbills and flyers of productions and recitals both at B.C. and other forums. There is a large quantity of materials consisting of newsclippings and magazine articles on both Yiddish Theater and Judaism in general. In addition there are poems and short stories on Jewish life and several papers written by Prof. Davidson's students concerning Judaism. Finally there are handwritten notes of Prof. Davidson concerning Yiddish Theater and materials concerning his part in the starting of a course in Yiddish Theater at Brooklyn College.

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 SUB-GROUP III: PERSONAL MEMORABILIA

1 cubic foot

Various plaques and an award cup presented to Prof. Davidson, mainly for his work in theater at B.C. Also contains his son Michael's music notebook from P.S. 208 in 1953.

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 SUB-GROUP IV: BOOK COLLECTION

Arranged alphabetically by author

.5 cubic feet

Consists of two files, the first of which contains books on theater that have been annotated by Prof. Davidson. The second is a small collection of books dealing with Abraham Lincoln.

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