Guide to the Michael Cherniavsky Papers, 1922-1973 AIS.1974.15
Arrangement
Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Michael Cherniavsky Papers
Creator
Cherniavsky, Michael
Collection Number
AIS.1974.15
Extent
6.9 Linear Feet(9 boxes)
Date
1922-1973
Abstract
The collection contains the works of Dr. Michael Cherniavsky, including manuscripts, notes, articles, and lectures. Dr. Cherniavsky was professor of Russian medieval history with a specialty in 15th and 16th century Russian political theory.
Language
English
.
Author
Carly Reed.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections Business Number: 412-648-3232 (Thomas) | 412-648-8190 (Hillman) Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
Dr. Michael Cherniavsky was born in Harbin, China, of Russian born parents and raised in Manchuria. He was educated at the University of California where he received a B.A. in 1946, an M.A. in 1947, and a Ph.D. in history in 1951. He became an instructor in history at Wesleyan in 1952 after having been a research assistant at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton; he joined the faculty of the University of Rochester as Associate Professor in 1964. In 1972, he was appointed Andrew W. Mellon Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh. His field was Russian medieval history with a specialty in 15th and 16th century Russian political theory. Dr. Cherniavsky died in Pittsburgh in 1973.
Scope and Content Notes
This manuscript collection contains the correspondence, unpublished and published writings, manuscripts of direct studies and some personal memorabilia of Dr. Cherniavsky. The correspondence includes letters to and from scholars and specialists in medieval and Russian history, including Norman Cantor, Ernst H. Kantorowicz, Theodor E. Mommsen, Marc Raeff, and George Vernadsky. The collection also includes the Papers of Ernst H. Kantorowicz.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Mrs. Michael Cherniavsky, February 17, 1974.
Previous Citation
Michael Cherniavsky Papers, 1922-1973, AIS.1974.15, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh
Preferred Citation
Michael Cherniavsky Papers, 1922-1973, AIS.1974.15, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Carly Reed in November 2004.
Copyright
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Separated Material
Published articles and books from the collection have been cataloged in the University Library System.
Subjects
Corporate Names
University of Rochester
Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.)
University of Pittsburgh. Department of History
Princeton University. Institute for Advanced Study
Personal Names
Schorske, Carl E. -- Correspondence
Vernadsky, George -- Correspondence
Cantor, Norman F. -- Correspondence
Cherniavsky, Michael
Giesey, Ralph E. -- Correspondence
Mommsen, Theodor Ernst -- Correspondence
Raeff, Marc -- Correspondence
Geographic Names
Russia -- History -- 1533-1613
Russia -- History -- To 1533
Russia -- Politics and government -- 1533-1613
Russia -- Politics and government -- To 1533
Other Subjects
Personal papers
Historians
Container List
Scope and Content Notes
This series includes articles on Michael Cherniavksy in Wesleyan University Alumnus, Wesleyan Argus, Campus Times (University of Rochester), Rochester Contrast, and the University of Rochester Rochester Review.
Containers
box 1, folder 11
Scope and Content Notes
The writings are divided into manuscripts, including a copy of Dr. Cherniavsky's Masters Thesis and a summary of his dissertation, and various published articles.
Containers
box 2, folder 1
Containers
box 2, folder 2
Containers
box 2, folder 3
Containers
box 3, folder 1
Containers
box 3, folder 2
Containers
box 3, folder 3
Containers
box 3, folder 4
Containers
box 3, folder 5
Containers
box 3, folder 6
Containers
box 3, folder 7
Containers
box 3, folder 8
Scope and Content Notes
This series includes two sketches, one of Dr. Cherniavsky and a child's sketch of "Michael fishing"; and three photographs, presumably of members of Dr. Cherniavsky's family.
Containers
box 3, folder 9
Containers
box 3, folder 10
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains records of some of Dr. Cherniavsky's research on Russian history. They are kept in letter boxes and slide cases within the larger boxes and include draft manuscripts, reprints of articles, lecture transcripts, and photographs.
Containers
box 4-5
Scope and Content Notes
These are three dissertations for which Dr. Cherniavsky served as advisor.
Containers
box 6, folder 1
Containers
box 6, folder 2
Containers
box 6, folder 3
Containers
box 6, folder 4
Scope and Content Notes
This series contains theses of Matitiahu Mayzel, Thomas Esper, and Richard Wortman; and a paper by Ludolf Muller. Correspondence between Cherniavsky and Mayzel and Esper, discussing their dissertations and other research in the field of Russian history, can be found in Series I.
Containers
box 7, folder 1
Containers
box 7, folder 2
Containers
box 7, folder 3
Containers
box 7, folder 4
Biography/History
Enerst Hartwig Kantorowicz was born May 3, 1895 in Posen, Prussia. Kantorowicz family were wealthy owners of a liquor distillery and as a young man he was groomed to take over the family business. He joined the German Army for four years during World War I before going to the University of Berlin to study philosophy. In 1820 he moved to the University of Heidelberg to study history with noted medievalists Karl Hampe and Friedrich Baethgen. During his time at Heidelberg Kantorowicz became involved with the Grorgekreis, a group of artists and intellectuals devoted to German poet Stefan George. His association with the group helped him to publish his first biography of the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II. The book was widely discussed in the academic world.
Despite the books unfavorable impact on academia, Kantorowicz received an appointment to an academic chair at the University of Frankfurt in 1931. However, in 1933 Kantorowicz resigned his professorship due to the Nazi parties' racial policies. He remained in Germany until 1938 when he was convinced it was no longer safe. Kantorowicz went to the United States and accepted a teaching position at the University of California, Berkeley. However, in 1950 he famously resigned from Berkeley protesting the university demanding that all faculty sign a loyalty oath disavowing any affiliation with politically subversive moments.
Kantorowicz would then move to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey where he remained for the rest of his career. In 1957, Kantorowicz published his masterpiece, The King's Two Bodies, which explored, in the words of the volume's subtitle, "medieval political theology." Kantorowicz died on September 9, 1963.
Scope and Content Notes
Kantorowicz series contains material on the work and life of Ernst Kantorowicz. The series is contained with in the Michael Cherniavsky Papers due to Cherniavsky being the heir of Kantorowicz estate.