The collection contains personal correspondence, publications, diaries and journals, business papers, and other material belonging to the Strauss family, a Jewish family from Germany. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence between Arthur and Lucy Strauss between the years of 1900 and 1933. Most of the collection is in German.
The collection is arranged into four series: Series I: Personal Correspondence; Series II: Publications; Series III: Certificates and Legal Documents; and Series IV: Miscellaneous.
The collection is open to researchers without restrictions.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.
Marjory S. Strauss
Gift. Accession #A76-54
Keun, Irmgard.
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Arthur Strauss, the main focus of the collection, was a physician, poet, art collector, and painter. He was born in 1864 in Halle, Westphalia, Germany. His father, Abraham Strauss, was a physician. Arthur studied medicine and received his medical diploma in 1888. He specialized in Dermatology and published a textbook on skin diseases in 1895. He settled in Barmen, Germany where he had a successful medical practice. In 1900 Arthur married Lucy Hertz. Arthur and Lucy traveled extensively throughout Europe and also to the east coast of the United States. Many of the letters in the collection were written during these travels.
Arthur and Lucy had one son, Arnold, in 1902 who also became a physician. Arnold worked as a pathologist at a hospital in Berlin. In 1933 Adolf Hitler came into power in Germany and began to implement his policies against Jews. Because the Strausses were of Jewish ancestry they were subject to these discriminative policies and found it hard to continue to work. In 1933 Arnold and his parents immigrated to the Netherlands. In 1935 Arnold secured a position at St. Vincent's Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia and immigrated to the United States. Arthur who was a very patriotic man and loved Germany greatly, was reluctant to leave Europe. It wasn't until 1938 that he finally gave up hope of returning to Germany and agreed to immigrate to the United States. Thus when Arnold began trying to obtain immigrant visas for them to join him in the United States it was probably too late due to the large numbers of people also trying to leave Europe at the time. He also unsuccessfully tried to obtain an immigration visa for his fiancee, Irmgard Keun, a German author. When the German army invaded the Netherlands in May 1940 the Strauss' became trapped there. Arthur and Lucy Strauss endured four months of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Then after apparently losing hope of being able to join Arnold in the United States, they took their own lives in September 1940. Arnold's long-distance relationship with Keun eventually came to an end as well. In 1941 Arnold married an American, Marjory Ware Spindle. Arnold died in 1965.
Note written by Special Collections Staff
The series includes correspondence between family and friends. All but a few letters are in German.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Correspondence, 1863, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Correspondence, 1864 March, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Correspondence, 1864 April, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Correspondence, 1864 May-June, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Correspondence, 1864 July-December, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Correspondence, 1865, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Correspondence, 1866, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Correspondence, 1888-1895, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Correspondence, 1900 January-May, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Correspondence, 1900 June-July, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Correspondence, 1900 August-September, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 12, Correspondence, 1900 October-December, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 1, Correspondence, 1901 January-April, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 2, Correspondence, 1901 May-July, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 3, Correspondence, 1901 August-September, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 4, Correspondence, 1901 October, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 5, Correspondence, 1901 November-December, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 1, Correspondence, 1902 January, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 2, Correspondence, 1902 February, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 3, Correspondence, 1902 March, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 4, Correspondence, 1902 April-June, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 5, Correspondence, 1902 July-August, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 1, Correspondence, 1902 September-October, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 2, Correspondence, 1902 November-December, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 3, Correspondence, 1903 January-April, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 4, Correspondence, 1903 May-August, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 5, Correspondence, 1903 September-December, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 6, Correspondence, 1904 January-June, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 7, Correspondence, 1904 July-November, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 1, Correspondence, 1905-1907, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 2, Correspondence, 1908, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 3, Correspondence, 1909 January-July, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 4, Correspondence, 1909 September, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 5, Correspondence, 1909 October, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 6, Correspondence, 1910-1914, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 7, Correspondence, 1915-1933, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 8, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 9, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 1, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 2, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 3, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 4, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 5, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 6, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 6, Folder 7, Correspondence, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The series includes published articles by Arthur Strauss and Arnold Strauss. Also included are two reprints from "Der Beobachter", a copy of "Bericht 1915-1917 Nationaler Frauendienst", and "Wieder Liebesbriefe" containing a poem by Irmgard Keun. There are two articles about Keun and other German women writers. Other newspaper clippings are from the Barmen newspaper and the "Women's Page" of the Frankfurt newspaper. All publications are in German.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 1, Publications by Arthur Strauss, 1872-1885, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 2, Publications by Arnold Strauss, 1927, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 3, Other Publications, 1844, 1917, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 4, Publications Pertaining to Irmgard Keun, 1932-1933, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 5, Newspaper Clippings, 1905-1935, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The series includes certificates to practice medicine, documents regarding service in the army as a physician, and certificates of donations to the national treasury. School documents are also included such as grade reports, certificates of graduation and other academic documents. Most of these documents are in German, and a few of the academic certificates are in Latin.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 6, School Certificates, Grade Reports, 1840-1847, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 7, School Certificates, Grade Reports, 1885-1888, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 8, Medical and Army Medical Service, 1839-1918, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 9, Other Certificates, 1917, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
The series includes undated manuscripts of works by Irmgard Keun, poetry by unknown authors, financial record books, post cards and picture postcards from the early 20th century, photographs, and calling cards.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 10, Irmgard Keun Manuscripts, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 11, Poetry, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 12, Record Books, 1909-1933, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
[Identification of item and date], Box 7, Folder 13, Miscellaneous Papers, undated, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Picture Postcards, undated, Box 8, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Photographs, undated, Box 8, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Postcards, undated, Box 8, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Calling Cards, undated, Box 8, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1894-1895, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1901-1902, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1896, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1901-1921, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1901, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1926, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), undated, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1902-1903, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Bound Journal (Written in German), 1926-1929, Oversize Box 9, Strauss Family Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.