Collection on Sam Abrams

Collection — Folder: 1-4

Identifier: RITArc-0077

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Collection on Sam Abrams contains items related to the former Rochester Institute of Technology professor (RIT). This includes bibliographies of Abrams's works; columns written by Abrams in Rochester's local newspaper, the Democrat & Chronicle; and clippings about Abrams. The collection also includes holiday cards that were sent to the RIT Archive Collections between 1985 and 1989. Each card features a poem written by Abrams and most are signed.

Dates

1978-1992

Creator

Abrams, Sam (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Samuel Abrams (1935- ) was born on November 18, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY to Moe and Miriam (née Rosenthal) Abrams. After graduating from Brooklyn College with his A.B. in 1958, Abrams attended the University of Illinois where he earned his M.A. in 1959. He then worked at Drew University in Madison, NJ as an instructor and the head of the classics department.

Abrams was opposed to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. He participated in anti-war demonstrations and was arrested for civil disobedience. From January 29 to February 4, 1967, Abrams participated in the Angry Arts Against the War in Vietnam protest. The protest was held in New York City and attracted over 600 artists.

In 1978, Abrams accepted a position in the Rochester Institute of Technology's College of Liberal Arts. As an associate professor in the English department, Abrams taught literature courses at the university. He also worked as a freelance columnist at Rochester's local paper, the Democrat & Chronicle. While serving as the coordinator for the Writers Series at RIT, he was able to convince Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder to visit Rochester. Abrams was also able to bring Ted Turner to speak at the university on September 29, 1981. He retired from RIT in 2005.

Selected Works

Selected Works

1966
: Barbara (published under Frank Newman)
1974
: The Post-American Cultural Congress
1978
: "People of the Dawn" (short film)
1993
: The Neglected Walt Whitman: Vital Texts
2003
: The Old Pothead Poems

Extent

4 Folder(s)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Materials related to Sam Abrams, an American poet and former professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The collection includes bibliographies, holiday cards, and clippings by or about Abrams.