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Bisceglia (Louis R.) Papers
MSS-2016-05-26
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Louis R. Bisceglia Papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2016-05-26
Physical Description:
10 boxes
(10 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1955-1990
Abstract: This collection contains documents and items of Louis Bisceglia's personal and professional research materials, research notes,
and correspondence. Bisceglia's personal notes and documentation cover the years of 1955-1990 and focus on Bisceglia's study
on British and Irish-American history. His research and study materials of the same subjects date back to as early as the
1817 up to 1989.
Louis Bisceglia was an English and American History professor who taught at San Jose State University for 20 years until his
death in 1990. Prior to his employment at SJSU, Bisceglia worked as a professor at Brown University and Rollins College. Outside
of the classes he taught, he had a particular interest in Irish-American history, doing extensive research on the subject
and publishing a book in 1986 regarding the subject, titled 'Irish Identity in the Mother Lode: the Hibernian Benevolence
Society, Columbia, Ca., 1857-71'. Another major work of Bisceglia's is a book published in 1982 titled 'Norman Angell and
Liberal Internationalism in Britain, 1931-1935', discussing the late British MP Norman Angell's campaigns for pacifism during
WWII. In addition to these titles, Bisceglia also wrote and published various articles and poetry. Bisceglia was also a big
participant in the history studies community, attending various annual history conferences. He also worked towards establishing
the Dr. Mary Condon Memorial Book Fund, a still-existing fund at SJSU that supports the purchase of books and other materials
relating to English and Irish history and affairs. Bisceglia and Mary Condon were close colleagues and shared an office together
during their time as SJSU faculty members. Louis Bisceglia died February 22, 1990 at the age of 53. His death was ruled as
suicide by drowning by the Coroner's office, as his body was found off the shore of Light House Point in Santa Cruz. He had
been living in Los Gatos with Nelwyn Bisceglia, his wife of 34 years.
Louis R. Bisceglia Papers, MSS-2016-05-26, San Jose State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
This collection is arranged in seven series: Series I. Personal Correspondence and Photographs; Series II. Extracurricular
Material; Series III. University Teaching Material and Student Work; Series IV. Research Materials and Notes; Series V. Irish
Identity in the Mother Lode Research and Draft Work; Series VI. Louis Bisceglia's Other Writings; and Series VII. Mary Condon
Memorial Book Fund and Scholarship. Series I is organized alphabetically, Series II is organized topically and alphabetically,
Series III is organized alphabetically, Series IV is organized alphabetically, Series V is organized by subject and alphabetically,
Series VI is organized alphabetically, and Series VII is organized chronologically. Folders are generally organized chronologically
where clear dates are applicable.
This collection contains documents and items from Louis Bisceglia's San Jose State University office, a bulk of which covers
the course of his 20 years at the university as a English and American history professor. Materials include both his professional,
academic, and personal documents, which entails research and draft materials for books, articles, and poems he had written,
classes he taught, and miscellaneous correspondence to and from him. Bisceglia's extensive research for two of his published
books "Irish Identity in the Mother Lode: The Hibernian Benevolence Society, Columbia, Ca., 1857-71" and "Norman Angell and
Liberal Internationalism in Britain, 1931-1935" can be found within this collection.
Copyright has been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives 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 by the reader.
Collection is open for research.
Collection processed by Rita Wang (2016).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San José State University -- Faculty
San José State University -- Department of History
Irish Americans -- California
Angell, Norman -- 1874-1967
Irish Americans -- Societies, etc.
Pacifism -- Great Britain -- World War, 1939-1945
Condon, Mary