Scope and Content Note
The papers of Milton Rogovin (1909-2011) span the years 1928-2006, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960 to 2003. The papers are primarily in English, with some items in Czech, Finnish, German, Russian, and Spanish. The papers are organized into the following series: Correspondence , Museums and Galleries , Writings and Photographic Projects , and Miscellany .
The Correspondence series is divided into four categories. Drafts of letters sent is a chronological group created by Rogovin and maintained as a separate section of the series. The family correspondence includes letters exchanged with his wife Anne, daughter Ellen, his grandchildren, and a cousin. Additional correspondence with Anne is in the Miscellany series in an international file relating to Chile. The bulk of the Correspondence series is in a general correspondence file. It includes letters received and sent and is primarily professional in nature, including individuals, magazines, publishers, and various organizations. Special correspondence segregated by Rogovin includes files relating to Margaret Taylor Burroughs, Harry M. Caudill, Robert Coles, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Robert J. Doherty, W. E. B. Du Bois, Stephen Jay Gould, Grace M. Mayer, Pablo Neruda, Paul Strand, and Minor White.
The Museums and Galleries series contains correspondence about exhibits and sales of photographs as well as publicity material, news clippings, museum pamphlets, and other printed matter concerned with exhibits.
The Writings and Photographic Projects series contains Rogovin's draft of his autobiography, his poetry, and material concerning his major photographic series, many of which were published in book form. The file includes material concerning his photographic trips, exhibits, publications, publicity material, awards, correspondence, and drafts of writings from collaborators.
Of special interest in the Miscellany is Anne Rogovin's Federal Bureau of Investigation file revealing that she was under surveillance for almost twenty years because of the Rogovins' political activities. A large International File contains items from Anne and Milton Rogovin's many travels for photographic purposes and correspondence with foreign periodicals about publication projects of Rogovin photographs. Files on the Soviet Union indicate that despite the Rogovins' long-held political views, Soviet officials hindered Milton Rogovin's efforts to photograph miners, much to his disappointment. A file on Chile contains material from Rogovin's trip to visit and collaborate with the poet Pablo Neruda. Also important is the biographical material and interviews of Rogovin.