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Finding aid created by: Meg Mason
Date: 2011
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| December 2019 | Revised to match style guide (NAW) |
Summary |
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| Creator: | Alexander, Sidney. |
| Title: | Sidney Alexander Papers |
| Dates: | 1963-1967 |
| Size: | 1 box (.25 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | Materials documenting his professional activities while in Syracuse, New York. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 |
A scholar in the field of Italian Renaissance studies, Sidney Alexander (1912-1999)
taught as a visiting professor in Syracuse University's Fine Arts Department in 1963 and
returned as an associate professor for the 1966-1967 academic year.
Alexander was born March 6, 1912 in New York City. He earned a B.S. degree from Columbia University in 1934 and then went on to do graduate studies there as well as at the New School for Social Research, Sorbonne, and the University of Florence. Before his appointment at Syracuse University, Alexander taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the New School for Social Research, and Hunter College. While at Syracuse, he was known to be an enthusiastic lecturer and a popular instructor among art history students.
As his career developed, Alexander grew increasingly fond of Italian art and culture and traveled frequently to Florence. The city experienced a catastrophic flood in 1966, and Alexander took a particular interest in helping with recovery efforts from the United States. He lectured in Syracuse on the aftermath of this disaster as a fundraiser for families left homeless by the flood. He also became chairman of the Committee for the Rescue of Italian Art, which operated in Syracuse. In June of 1967, Alexander left Syracuse University to move to Florence, where he spent much of his life.
Although he was known for his research and writings on Michelangelo, Alexander also wrote novels, plays and short stories, which received critical praise. His biography Marc Chagall is considered one of his major works. In 1970, Alexander received the PEN Award for Translation for his work on Francesco Guicciardini's History of Italy. He died December 11, 1999, in Richmond, Virginia.
The Sidney Alexander Papers date from 1963 to 1967 and document Alexander’s professional activities while in Syracuse, New York. They include his published and unpublished writings, his resume, a memorandum about a published article, and an Everson Museum of Art brochure listing one of his lectures.
Access Restrictions:
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions:
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Names
Alexander, Sidney.
Syracuse University.
Subjects
Italian art.
Syracuse (N.Y.) -- History.
College teachers.
Higher education.
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Sidney Alexander Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
The Alexander Papers were transferred from the Syracuse University Library to the University Archives in 1967.
Processing Information
The materials in the collection were placed in acid-free folders and box.
Original order has been maintained.
Papers
| Papers | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Brochure, “Florence of Lorenzo dei Medici,” Everson Museum of Art 1964 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Memorandum, “Florence after the deluge” article July 12, 1967 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Resume 1963 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Writings – “Florence after the deluge,” “a light all his own,” “my beard to heaven” 1964-1966 | ||||||||||