Collection of Marcel Proust papers, 1870-1950 | Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Title: Collection of Marcel Proust papers, 1870-1950

ID: 01/01/MSS00045

Primary Creator: Proust, Marcel (1871-1922)

Extent: 12.0 Cubic Feet

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in the following series and subseries:

Series 1: Madame Robert Proust gathering of Marcel Proust materials (acquired through Henri Lefebvre)

Series 2: Proust to Bibesco (Proust 1)

Series 3: Proust and Hauser Correspondence (Proust 2 and 2A)

-Subseries 1: LH (Hauser to Proust--Proust 2)

-Subseries 2: Hauser (Proust to Hauser--Proust 2A)

Series 4: Proust to Grandjean, Lauris, and others (Proust 3)

Series 5: Proust to Goyau, Daudet, Montesquiou-Fezensac, and others (Proust 4)

Series 6: Correspondence to Proust (Proust 5)

Series 7: Items by Proust (Proust 6-Proust 86)

Series 8: Montesquiou-Fezensac to Proust (Montesquiou 2-6)

Series 9: Correspondence from Walter Berry to Marcel Proust (Proust 87)

Series 10: Additional Accruals (Proust 88-93)

-Subseries 1: Correspondence with Blanche, Daudet, Dreyfus, Lemaire, and Schiff to Marcel Proust (Proust 88-92)

-Subseries 2: September 2013 accrual (Proust 93)

Series 11: Proust's milieu

-Subseries 1: Jacques Brehant and Amelie Bessiere

-Subseries 2: Friends and acquaintances writing for newspapers

-Subseries 3: Comtesse Greffulhe

-Subseries 4: George Boyer

-Subseries 5: Mary Wooster

-Subseries 6: Francois Selz collection of Leon Pierre-Quint and Henri de Montherlant

-Subseries 7: Pierre-Quint manuscripts

-Subseries 8: Fragiles

-Subseries 9: Daudet family

Languages: French

Papers of the French novelist Marcel Proust provides a look at the man and his times. Proust had a large and varied number of correspondents, and his letters include an important source of information about Parisian life and French culture at the turn of the century. Includes published and unpublished manuscripts, documents and letters about the Dreyfus Affair, John Ruskin, and the nature and function of literary criticism.

Born July 10, 1871 in Auteuil, France, a suburb of Paris, to wealthy parents Dr. Adrien Proust and Jeanne Weil. A nervous and frail child, he suffered from severe asthma.  He completed one year of military service, then studied law and philosophy.  He published his first works, Portraits de Peintres and Plaisirs et les Jours, in 1896. Proust's unpublished works from this period, Jean Santeuil and Contre Sainte-Beuve, were discovered in the 1950s.

His earliest love affairs, which had been heterosexual, changed later into homosexual affairs.  To the age of 35 Proust lived the life of a social climber in the Paris salons, although he worked for a short time as a lawyer and was also active in the Dreyfuss affair.

During 1899 he became interested in the works of the English critic John Ruskin (1819-1900), and after Ruskin's death the next year, Proust published an article that established him as a Ruskin scholar. Proust wrote several more articles on Ruskin, and with the help of an English-speaking friend, Marie Nordlinger, and his mother, Proust translated into French Ruskin's The Bible of Amiens (1904) and Sesame and Lilies (1906).

When Proust's father died in 1903 and his mother in 1905, he withdrew gradually from society, living in a sound-proof apartment and devoting himself chiefly to writing and introspection. In 1913 Proust published the first of his seven part major work, A la recherche du temps perdu (Remembrance of Things Past). The second volume appeared in 1919 and won the Goncourt Prize, and the next parts made him internationally famous.  He worked on his novel from 1909 until the end of life.

Died November 18, 1922 in Paris, France of bronchitis and pneumonia, contracted after a series of asthma attacks.  The final volumes of his novel appeared under the direction of his brother Robert.

In his own lifetime, the merit of Proust's novel was debated by those who perceived its brilliance and those who claimed it was unreadable. Today it is recognized as one of the major literary works of the Western canon.

Repository: Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Access Restrictions: Open to researchers.

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Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Madame Robert Proust gathering of Marcel Proust materials (acquired through Henri Lefebvre)],
[Series 2: Proust to Bibesco (Proust 1)],
[Series 3: Proust and Hauser Correspondence (Proust 2 and 2A)],
[Series 4: Proust to Grandjean, Lauris, and others (Proust 3)],
[Series 5: Proust to Goyau, Daudet, Montesquiou-Fezensac, and others (Proust 4)],
[Series 6: Correspondence to Proust (Proust 5)],
[Series 7: Items by Proust (Proust 6-Proust 86)],
[Series 8: Montesquiou-Fezensac to Proust (Montesquiou 2-6)],
[Series 9: Correspondence from Walter Berry to Marcel Proust (Proust 87)],
[Series 10: Additional Accruals (Proust 88-93)],
[Series 11: Proust's milieu],
[[information restricted]],
[All]

Series 4: Proust to Grandjean, Lauris, and others (Proust 3)

Box 9

Folder 44

Item Proust03 001: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 22 or 23 October 1906

Date on letter estimated as "[Le 22 ou le 23 octobre 1906]"

ALS

First line: "J'ai reçu hier deux lettres de vous, celle que vous m'aviez ecrite qui s'etait, comme vous avez du le deviner croisee avec la mienne..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: VI, p. 248, n. 150

Physical Description: 2 pages

Folder 45

Item Proust03 002: *There is no Proust 3 letter 2.

Folder 46

Item Proust03 003: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 7 October 1908

Date on letter estimated as "[Le mercredi 7 ? octobre 1908]" 

ALS

First line: "Quand je parlais l'autre jour de Moïse au seuil de la Terre Promise et n'y pouvant penetrer, je ne savais pas si exactement dire..." Written from: [Versailles]

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: VIII, p. 236, n. 128

Physical Description: 7 pages 1/3

Folder 47

Item Proust03 004: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 1898-1899

Dated estimated as late 1898 or early 1899

Autograph calling card

First line: "J'etais alle rue de Monceau pour vous voir?

Physical Description: 1 card

Folder 48

Item Proust03 005: **There is no Proust 3 letter 5.**

Folder 49

Item Proust03 006: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 23 May 1909

Date on letter estimated as "[Peu apres le 23 mai 1909]"

ALS

First line: "J'ai ete navre car les jours precedents J'aurais pu vous recevoir si tot ! Quelle tristesse ! Non Georges je ne fais pas un roman c'est trop long a vous expliquer..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: IX, p. 107, n. 53

Physical Description: 4 pages

Folder 50

Item Proust03 007: Proust, Marcel to Mayr, W, May 1922

Date on letter estimated as "[vers la mi-mai 1922]"

ALS

First line: "Je vous accuse reception des 150 francs que vous voulez bien m'adresser pour collaboration aux Feuilles Libres. Si je n'etais aussi souffrant je vous expliquerais combien..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XXI, p. 190, n. 136

Physical Description: 5 pages

Folder 51

Item Proust03 008: Proust, Marcel to Cocteau, Jean, 21 November 1913

Date on letter estimated as "[Le vendredi 21 novembre 1913]"

ALS

First line: "Je voulais vous telephoner aujourd'hui pour vous dire combien votre merveille, passee de l'etat sonore dans lequel je la connus d'abord, a un silence graphique..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XII, p. 330, n. 159

Physical Description: 2 1/2 pages

Folder 52

Item Proust03 009a: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 15 November 1895

Date on letter estimated as "[15 novembre 1895]"

ALS

First line: "Je suis bien triste d'apprendre ce que vous me dites de votre sante, et je viendrai voir votre mine. Quand au cocher, j'en serai fort capable, mais j'etais a pied quand je suis venu chez vous?" Written from: [Paris]

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 445, n. 291

Physical Description: 1 page

Folder 53

Item Proust03 009b: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 12 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce dimanche [12? novembre 1893]"

AL

First line: " "Si je ne vous ai pas immediatement remercie, c'est que je devais aller aujourd'hui dejeuner a Louveciennes chez vos voisins Beer?""

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 252, n.116

Physical Description: 7 pages

Folder 54

Item Proust03 009c: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 8 November 1893

Date on letter estimated as "[Mercredi matin 8 novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Je n'avais pas songe que c'etait la repetition generale de Meilhac et que j'avais promis d'y aller."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 251, n. 115

Physical Description: 1 page

Folder 55

Item Proust03 009d: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 7 November 1893

Dated on letter "Mardi soir [7 novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Je viendrai demain a deux heures. - Mais quel malheur que vous soyez souffrant?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 250, n. 114

Physical Description: 2 1/2 pages

Folder 56

Item Proust03 009e: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 6 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce lundi [6 novembre 1893]" 

First line: "C'est convenu pour mercredi 2 heures chez vous?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 249, n. 112

Physical Description: 1 1/2 pages

Folder 57

Item Proust03 009f: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 4 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce samedi [4 novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Si un de ces matins vous pouviez sans vous trop deranger me recevoir quelques instants?" Written from: [Paris] 9 bd Malesherbes

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 246, n. 110

Physical Description: 1 1/2 pages

Folder 58

Item Proust03 009g: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 13 November 1893

Date on letter estimated as "[Le lundi 13 novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Je vous savais capable de toutes les delicatesses, de toutes les generosites, de la charite la plus ingenieuse?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 255, n. 118

Physical Description: 4 pages

Folder 59

Item Proust03 009h: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 13 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce lundi [13 novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Vous allez trouver que mes courriers se multiplient avec une rapidite inquietante?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 256, n. 119

Physical Description: 3 pages

Folder 60

Item Proust03 009i: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, December 1893

Date on letter estimated as "[Decembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Je ne vous ai pas ecrit pour aller vous voir - puis crains d'abuser - et vous remercie tardivement. Madame Lemaire veut commencer?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 262, n. 124

Physical Description: 2 1/2 pages

Folder 61

Item Proust03 009j: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 9 January 1895

Dated on letter "Mercredi [9 janvier 1895 ?]"

ALS

First line: "Que devenez-vous? J'ai appris tres longtemps apres, que vous aviez eu un grand chagrin et j'ai trop d'affection pour vous pour ne pas avoir ete longtemps triste de votre peine? "

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 362, n. 217

Physical Description: 3 pages

Folder 62

Item Proust03 009k: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 25 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce samedi soir [25 ? novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "La place aux Affaires etrangeres qu'on m'offre immediatement sans concours est attachee aux Archives. Pendant la premiere annee?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 260, n. 122

Physical Description: 3 pages

Folder 63

Item Proust03 009L: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 8 December 1893

Dated on letter "Ce vendredi [8 ? decembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "J'abuse - mais j'avais voulu vous dire que malgre tout j'en reste au plan musees. Si a ce moment la c'est toujours bouche?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 262, n. 125

Physical Description: 4 pages

Folder 64

Item Proust03 010: Proust, Marcel to Grandjean, Charles, 19 November 1893

Dated on letter "Ce dimanche [19 ? novembre 1893]"

ALS

First line: "Mes parents me laissent libre mais trouvent mon plan bien peu celui d'une carriere, me demandent des choses precises?"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: I, p. 258, n. 121

Physical Description: 4 pages

Folder 65

Item Proust03 011: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 9 September 1915

Date on letter estimated as "[Peu apres le 9 septembre 1915]"

ALS

First line: "J'ai l'air ingrat, je vous supplie de croire que je ne le suis pas. Vous avez ete charmant pour Morand, il a ete heureux de vous connaitre et vous lui avez fait connaitre Gide qu'il admire extremement..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XIV, p. 223, n. 109

Physical Description: 4 numbered pages

Folder 66

Item Proust03 012: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 1 November 1910

Date on letter estimated as "[Le mardi soir 1er novembre 1910]"

ALS

First line: "Vous avez ete bien gentil de m'ecrire pour votre mariage, vous l'auriez ete davantage de m'y inviter! Est-ce par exces de penetration qui passe le but..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: X, p. 192, n. 90

Physical Description: 8 pages

Folder 67

Item Proust03 013a: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 13 July 1910

Date on letter estimated as "[Le mercredi 13 juillet 1910]" 

First line: "Irez-vous cette annee chez Bres? Je vous le demande parce que j'ai eu comme l'annee derniere des accidents d'intoxication..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: X, p. 137, n. 65

Physical Description: 3 pages

Item Proust03 013b: Proust, Marcel to Lauris, Georges de, 27 April 1910

Date on letter estimated as "[Le mercredi matin 27 avril 1910]"

ALS

First line: "Vous seriez bien gentil de lire cette lettre jusqu'au bout, de la detruire ou de me la renvoyer, et de ne dire a qui que ce soit que je vous ecris."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: X, p. 81, n. 35

Physical Description: 9 1/4 pages

Folder 68

Item Proust03 014: Proust, Marcel to Mourey, Gabriel, January or February 1905

Date on letter estimated as "[Janvier ou fevrier 1905]"

ALS

First line: "Je vous remercie mille fois de vos paroles si aimables pour mon essai de traduction. Je dis essai" car vous savez qu'on ne traduit qu'un peu...""

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: V, p. 30, n. 6

Physical Description: 4 pages

Folder 69

Item Proust03 015: Proust, Marcel to Peter, Rene, 27 April 1912

Date on letter estimated as "[Peu avant le 27 avril 1912]"

ALS

First line: "Vous n'etes pas etonne, choque, de mon silence? Nullemation. Vous le trouvez tout naturel n'est-ce-pas, courtois meme, et reconnaissant? Essentiellement !"

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XI, p. 113, n. 57

Physical Description: 3 pages

Folder 70

Item Proust03 016: Proust, Marcel to Pierrebourg, Marguerite Thomas-Galline, Bonne Aimery Harty de (pseud.  Claude Ferval), 8 November 1913

Date on letter estimated as "[Peu apres le 8 novembre 1913]"

ALS

First line: "Je pense qu'en m'ecrivant vous sentiez vous-meme l'inestimable prix des paroles que vous me disiez et eprouviez la joie de qui fait une incomparable charite..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XII, p. 304, n. 140

Physical Description: 7 pages

Folder 71

Item Proust03 017: Proust, Marcel to Rosny Aine, Joseph-Henri-Honore Boex, dit, 8 March 1920

Date on letter estimated as "[Le lundi 8 mars 1920]"

ALS

First line: "Je viens de passer des jours si penibles (effet probablement du changement barometrique) que j'hesitais a vous repondre car mes crises duraient jusqu'a minuit..."

Originals or Copies Note: Published in Kolb: XIX, p. 146, n. 57

Physical Description: 4 pages

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Madame Robert Proust gathering of Marcel Proust materials (acquired through Henri Lefebvre)],
[Series 2: Proust to Bibesco (Proust 1)],
[Series 3: Proust and Hauser Correspondence (Proust 2 and 2A)],
[Series 4: Proust to Grandjean, Lauris, and others (Proust 3)],
[Series 5: Proust to Goyau, Daudet, Montesquiou-Fezensac, and others (Proust 4)],
[Series 6: Correspondence to Proust (Proust 5)],
[Series 7: Items by Proust (Proust 6-Proust 86)],
[Series 8: Montesquiou-Fezensac to Proust (Montesquiou 2-6)],
[Series 9: Correspondence from Walter Berry to Marcel Proust (Proust 87)],
[Series 10: Additional Accruals (Proust 88-93)],
[Series 11: Proust's milieu],
[[information restricted]],
[All]