Alfred Knopf's archives related to Brazilian intellectual history in the middle of 20th century

Abstract

It was in 1915 that Alfred (1892-1984) & Blanche (1894-1966) Knopf created their own business in New York,which was to be owned and managed by them for nearly fifty years. Theirs was Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., a publishing house which was to be one of the most prestigious in literary circles, either in the US or abroad. To have books published in the US by the Knopfs, between the '30s and the '60s, meant a lot for literary writers who were anxious to be known outside their national boundaries. To be published by the Knopfs, specially after WWII,meant a degree of internationalization, which was highly desirable. It seems the main scope of the Knopfs, before or after WWII, was to expand the literary horizons of the North-American audience, which would not go farther than native writers or British ones, to the most. Their scope was to enlarge this gallery, where Latin-American, as well as some European and Asian writers should be included. The Knopf's documentation and papers about this long run accomplishment, which spans from 1915 to 1970, is part of the archives of the University of Texas-Austin. It is its Harry Ranson Center which is in charge of its preservation. It is this institution which preserves agreat amount of letters exchanged between the Knopfs and Gilberto Freyre as well as Jorge Amado, the firstBrazilian Witers to be translated into English by that internationally well-known publishing house. It is their efforts to be known outside Brazil that conduct this investigation, which began in 2007 and was re-taken in 2014, thanksto a Harry Ranson Fellowship. (AU)