Collection inventory

Special Collections home page
printer friendly version

Josephine Scremin Aichner Papers

An inventory of her papers at the Syracuse University Archives

Summary

Creator: Aichner, Josephine Scremin.
Title: Josephine Scremin Aichner Papers
Dates: 1952-1985
Size: 2 boxes (1 linear foot)
Abstract: Poems, short stories, photographs, and correspondence.
Language: English
Repository: University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives

Biography

Josephine Scremin Aichner

Josephine Scremin Aichner (1933-1985) was an American poet and 1956 graduate of Syracuse University.

Aichner was born Josephine Elizabeth Scremin on August 12, 1933 in Solvay, New York. Her father, Pietro Scremin, immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1920. Her mother, Natalina Gallaurese Scremin, immigrated to the United States in 1932 with Aichner’s older brother, Ermanno Scremin.

Aichner graduated valedictorian from Solvay High School in 1952. She then attended Syracuse University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts, majoring in languages. While at the University she was initiated into Delta Phi Alpha, the National Honorary German Fraternity. In addition, she thoroughly enjoyed writing poetry and short stories. She particularly admired her mentor A. E. Johnson, a professor and noted poet at Syracuse University.

After Aichner graduated she briefly taught at a business school. By 1964, she married Harry C. Aichner. During their marriage they lived in Mayville, New York, where Aichner was an active member of the Chautauqua Writers Guild. She was able to publish several poems during the years of her marriage.

In 1972, she and Harry Aichner divorced. Aichner move back to Syracuse in order to teach. She taught English as a second language to adult students and their families. She mostly instructed students from Syracuse University but accepted students from other colleges in the area. She excelled at German, French, Italian, and Spanish. She had a passion for teaching students English and the years she taught English were some of the happiest of her life. She was enriched by her students and felt that she enriched their lives as well.

Josephine Scremin Aichner died on February 2, 1985.

Return to top

Scope and Content Note

The Josephine Scremin Aichner Papers contain materials dating from 1952 to 1985. The collection consists of her journal, published writings, and many unpublished poems.

There are several items in the collection from her time as a student at Syracuse University. These items include short stories written in her English 102 class. In addition, there are other short stories and poems she wrote while at the University such as “The Death of Harlequin Pablo Picasso.” Further, there is correspondence written to her from poet and professor A. E. Johnson.

Return to top

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Return to top

Selected Search Terms

Names

Aichner, Josephine Scremin.
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Poets.
Writers and their work.
Authors.
Higher education.
Teachers.

Types of material

Poems.

Return to top

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Josephine Scremin Aichner Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Patricia Webb Scremin donated the collection to the University Archives in 2002.

Processing Information

All materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Zachary Burnham
Date: 2013
Revision history:

Return to top

Arrangement

The items are arranged in alphabetical order.

Return to top

Inventory

Papers
Box 1 Autobiography undated
Box 1 Bay shore breeze 1965-1966 (3 issues)
Box 1 But just ourselves—an anthology (poems) 1968
Box 1 The crown & the laurel by A. E. Johnson, come closer: selected poems of A. E. Johnson, and photograph of A. E. Johnson 1965, 1967, 1962
Box 1 “The death of harlequin Pablo Picasso" 1955
Box 1 English 102—short stories 1952
Box 1 Figures of speech—drawings and writings 1964-1965 (3 folders)
Box 1 Journal—dated entries, poems, newspaper clippings, photographs 1967-1971
Box 1 Letters from A. E. Johnson, newspaper clippings of his death, poem “honest doubt” 1954, 1960
Box 1 "The Mona Lizzie"—short stories December 4, 1964
Box 1 Of poets and poetry—poems 1959-1972 (2 folders)
Box 2 Photographs and card undated
Box 2 Pins undated
Box 2 A poet is fled—poems 1985 (2 copies)
Box 2 Poetry awards undated
Box 2 Psychogenesis 1958-1964
Box 2 Scremin writes—short stories 1953-1954 (2 folders)
Box 2 Transcripts 1956
Box 2 “The way of Seth”—short story undated

Return to top