Biographical Materials

This addition to the George M. Cohen Papers spans the years 1948 to 1999 and is organized into the following categories: biographical materials, exhibit announcements and catalogs, correspondence, education files, papers, and material relating specifically to Cohen’s wife, the artist Constance Cohen. Correspondence makes up the bulk of the addition.

The biographical materials are arranged chronologically, and include curricula vitae, clippings, grants and awards. The clippings relate to both Cohen’s academic life at Northwestern University, and to his professional life as a painter. The exhibit announcements and catalogs span the years 1948 to 1999 and document Cohen’s professional career.

The correspondence files date from the early 1940s through the late 1990s. General correspondence is arranged chronologically by decade. Subject correspondence is organized alphabetically, with the contents of each folder arranged chronologically. The many greeting cards that the Cohens received are foldered separately from other correspondence, and are arranged alphabetically by the name of the sender. Subject folders include professional and personal correspondence, including numerous letters of recommendation. Of particular interest are letters and cards Cohen sent to Jack and Irene Oppenheim while in Rome during the first half of the 1960s.

Note: For more correspondence between Cohen and his circle of faculty friends, see the Walter B. Scott Papers (Series 20/29) and the Harrison Hayford Papers (Series 11/3/11/34).

Education files fill three folders and include undated class notes from Cohen’s school days, as well as teaching notes.

Papers and Writings include Cohen’s dissertation on eighteen century French drawing for the University of Chicago, lectures, and personal writing, much of it undated.

Constance Cohen’s papers include biographical materials, clippings, exhibit announcements and catalogs, and correspondence, including a number of letters written to the Oppenheims.