Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 977

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1.6 linear feet (4 boxes)

Preferred Citation:

Joseph Gillet collection, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1909-1956 (inclusive)

Creator:

Gillet, Joseph E. (Joseph Eugene)

Form:

Religious drama, Reprographic copies, Translations (documents), Research notes, Notebooks, Clippings (information artifacts), Correspondence, Spanish drama, Passion plays, and Plays (performing arts compositions)

Abstract:

Joseph E. Gillet (1888-1958), a native of Belgium, was a professor of Spanish at Bryn Mawr College. He directed doctoral dissertations both at Bryn Mawr College and at the University of Pennsylvania, and he achieved several critical editions recognized in the academic world. His papers include photostats, transcripts and translations of Spanish texts, correspondence with his colleagues and libraries in America and Europe, clippings of journals mentioning his publications, and handwritten research notes.

Joseph Eugene Gillet (1888-1958) was born at Hasselt, Belgium, and received his PhD at the University of Liège in 1910, with a dissertation entitled Molière en Angleterre, 1660-1670. He emigrated to the United States in 1913 and served as a private in the infantry during World War I. After his discharge, he accepted a position in the Foreign Service Department of the National City Bank in New York. However, he rapidly returned to academic life and served as assistant professor of romance languages at the University of Minnesota from 1921 to 1924, before joining the faculty of Bryn Mawr College, as an associate professor and head of the department of Spanish. He directed doctoral dissertations both at Bryn Mawr College and at the University of Pennsylvania. He also held temporary appointments as visiting professor at the University of Chicago, at Princeton University, and at the University of California at Berkeley. One of his major achievements was the critical edition Propalladia and Other Works of Bartolomé de Torres Naharro, in three volumes (1943, 1946, and 1951).

This collection includes Joseph E. Gillet's research materials and papers, particularly relating to his work on Bartolomé de Torres Naharro. Materials include photostats of Spanish texts, some with typed transcripts and translations; handwritten research notes; correspondence with colleagues; reviews of his work on Torres Naharro, and a photograph and a memorial of Archer Huntington of the Hispanic Society of America.

The collection is arranged in four series, I. Reproductions of books and manuscripts; II. Correspondence regarding research, locating books and manuscripts, and acquiring reproductions of books and manuscripts; III. Writings, reviews of writings, and clippings; and IV. Notes.

In Series I. Reproductions of books and manuscripts, items are arranged alphabetically by title. These items, largely in Spanish, are frequently religious in nature. Items are either photostats, or typed documents with the text on the left and the translation on the right. There are several versions of Bartolomé de Torres Naharro's Propalladia, on which Gillet wrote two volumes: "Propalladia" and Other Works of Bartolomé de Torres Naharro. There are a number of passion plays included in the series.

Series II. Professional correspondence consists of letters to and from Gillet with colleagues and libraries across the globe. Many of the names in the letters are illegble, but frequent letters were sent to and from: A. Berthelot, John Carominas, Jorge Guillén, Archer Huntington, Donald Macbeth, María Rosa Lida de Malkiel, S.G. Morley, George T. Northrup, Alfonso Reyes, William H. Shoemaker, Leo Spitzer, and G. Weber, to name a few. Gillet also corresponded with libraries across the world, most frequently with prominent libraries in Belgium, England, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain in Europe; Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay in Central and South America; and in Toronto, California, and Chicago in North America. In addition to correspondence, there is information about copyright registration and receipts for photoduplication of books and manuscripts. Correspondence is arranged in chronological order.

In Series III. Writings, reviews of writings, and clippings, researchers will find one article by Gillet entitled "Flair;" reprints of and clippings on works by others, most of which reference Gillet; and reviews of Gillet's works, most notably, "Propalladia" and Other Works of Bartolomé de Torres Naharro and Tragedia Josephina by Micael de Carvajal and edited by Gillet. Additionally, this series includes information on and a memorial for Archer Milton Huntington (1870-1955), who was the founder and president of the Hispanic Society of America and with whom Gillet corresponded.

Series IV. Notes includes Gillet's handwritten notes on religious drama and Blasco de Garay (1500–1552), a Spanish navy captain and inventor.