Agency History/Biographical note:
Elizabeth Wentworth Seaver was born on August 1, 1911. She graduated from Northampton High School before attending Mount Holyoke in 1929. She received an A.B. from Mount Holyoke College in 1933, and a M.A. from Radcliffe College in 1934. From 1938-39 she attended the Cooperative School for Student Teachers. She then became a third grade teacher at the Thomas School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1941 she began teaching nursery school, but soon moved to Woodward School in Brooklyn, New York. In 1942 she married Harry Carmozin Helfman and they had one child. Helfman then began writing children's books.

Scope and Content:
The Elizabeth Seaver Wentworth Helfman Papers contain correspondence, 1930-79; a journal, 1930-33; a diary, 1931-1932, 1933, 1934 and 1939; and writings, including a book entitled "This hungry world," written by Elizabeth S. Helfman. The correspondence includes excerpts from letters written to her brother Robert Seaver, dated 1930-31, and letters to and from Helen Voorhees concerning Elizabeth's employment. The journal chiefly includes introspective thoughts, with few references to daily occurences. The diary includes regular entries which comment on her moods, books and concerts and friends. The writings include a list of the books published by Elizabeth S. Helfman, mostly written for young adults.

Cite as: Elizabeth Seaver Helfman Papers, Mount Holyoke College, Archives and Special Collections, South Hadley, Massachusetts

Access Restrictions: Unrestricted

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