Wilbur Broms papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-2015-022

Scope and Contents

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Papers containing research notes and drafts for books, articles, and concert programs about Irish poet Thomas Moore, created by American tenor Wilbur Broms. Included are programs and planning materials for anniversary concerts of Moore's music performed by Broms and colleagues, as well as material created toward They Shall Never Sound in Slavery, Broms's unpublished three-volume work about Thomas Moore and musical settings of his poetry, especially by Hector Berlioz.

Also present are collected materials about communism, particularly in Ireland and among Irish-Americans, as well as drafts and notes for Beware of the Risen People: A Working Class View of the Irish Rebellion, Broms's unpublished book about the early twentieth century Irish independence movement through a Marxist lens.

There is a small amount of personal material about Broms himself, including his resume and other promotional material.

Dates

Creation: 1928-1986

Creator

Broms, Wilbur, 1912-1990 (Person)

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note: Wilbur Broms

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Wilbur Strong Broms was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1912, to Clara and Allen Strong Broms. Both of his parents were founding members and leaders of the Communist Party in Minnesota, and Wilbur also became active in the Party. He was a member of the Marxist youth movement in the 1930s and 1940s and helped found the Progressive Labor Party in the early 1960s. During World War II, Broms served in an Engineers Combat Battalion of the United States Army in Europe. Broms studied civil engineering and American theater at the University of Minnesota, but never completed a university degree. He was a professional lyric tenor, specializing in Irish music and the music of Irish poet Thomas Moore. Broms also researched and wrote two books, though neither were published: Beware of the Risen People: A Working Class View of the Irish Rebellion, and They Shall Never Sound in Slavery, a three-volume work about Thomas Moore and musical settings of his poetry, especially by Hector Berlioz. Broms married Dorothy Josephine Stoffer in 1946, and they had two children: Patricia and Martin. The family lived in New York, New York, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Wilbur Broms died on March 16, 1990.

Sources:

"Dorothy Broms Obituary", The New York Times, May 1, 2009. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/nytimes/name/dorothy-broms-obituary?id=28736773.

Douglas, William R., "The Germans Would Court-Martial Me, Too," Minnesota History, Fall 1997.

Wilbur S. Broms papers, 1917-1982 (bulk 1930s, 1950s), Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society.

Full Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (9 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Materials created by twentieth-century American tenor Wilbur Broms, including research notes and drafts for books, articles, and concert programs about Irish poet Thomas Moore, especially musical settings of his poetry by Hector Berlioz. Additionally, there are collected materials and essays about communism, particularly in Ireland.

Arrangement

Arranged in four series: I. Concerts; II. Personal materials; III. Writings; and IV. Collected materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Martin Broms, son of Wilbur Broms, 2011.

Related Materials

At Burns Library:

Ann P. Little manuscript music copy book, MS.2002.011, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Boston College collection of Thomas Moore, MS.1986.156, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Collection of flute and vocal music, BC.2022.005, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Jean Heitz collection of Mary O'Hara, IM.M177.2010, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Mary O'Hara papers, IM.M175.2009, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

At other repositories:

Greta Hartwig Manschinger and Kurt Manschinger (Ashley Vernon) Papers, 1896-1986. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York. https://archives.albany.edu/description/catalog/ger025.

Oakley C. Johnson Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Stony Brook University Libraries. https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/libspecial/collections/manuscripts/johnson.php.

Wilbur S. Broms papers, 1917-1982 (bulk 1930s, 1950s), Gale Family Library, Minnesota Historical Society. https://mnpals-mhs.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01MNPALS_MHS/ge68j0/alma990017126100104294.

Separated Materials

Published works associated with this collection have been transferred within the Burns Library and can be found in the Boston College Library catalog.