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May Benzenberg Mayer Papers
A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
2022
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm2022086484
Additional search options available at: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms022019
Prepared by Manuscript Division staff
Finding aid encoded by Manuscript Division staff, 2022
Collection Summary
Title: May Benzenberg Mayer Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1926-1983
Bulk Dates: 1926-1952
ID No.: MSS86484
Creator: Mayer, May Benzenberg, 1880-1952
Extent: 60 items
Extent: 5 containers plus 1 oversize
Extent: 2.2 linear feet
Extent: 58 digital files (0.58 GB)
Language: Collection material in English
Location: Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
LC Catalog record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm2022086484
Summary: Philosopher, amateur psychiatrist, and founder of the School of Applied Philosophy, also known as the Path
of Joining of Devotion and Gnosis (POJODAG) House. Lectures and teachings manuscript, teaching posters, pamphlets,
and other writings in both physical and digital formats documenting Mayer’s teaching at the School of Applied Philosophy,
New York, N.Y., and its influence by Jungian psychoanalysis and the theosophy movement.
Acquisition Information
The papers of May Benzenberg Mayer were given to the Library of Congress by Carol Denick in 2022.
Processing History
The papers of May Benzenberg Mayer were arranged and described by Sara Ludewig in 2022.
Digital files were received as part of the May Benzenberg Mayer Papers on a variety of storage media, each of which was
assigned a unique digital ID number. Use the digital ID number to request access copies of the files associated with each
media. A description of the standard processes taken on all born digital records can be found in the Processing History
Note: Born Digital Collection Material at https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.digital.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of May Benzenberg Mayer is governed by the Copyright Law of the
United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of May Benzenberg Mayer are open to research. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is
needed to retrieve these items for research use. Access to digital content is available onsite only in the Manuscript Reading
Room and requires advanced notice. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting.
Technical Requirements
Digital files were created by the donor in a Mac operating system, version unknown. The content is primarily text and
image files in .jpg and .pdf formats. Digitized Content
All items in the collection were digitized by the donor and can be requested using the digital ID numbers in the Container List.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container or digital ID number, May
Benzenberg Mayer Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
May Benzenberg Mayer was born in 1880 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She claimed to have studied psychiatry under
Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung in the 1910s. In 1924, she founded the School of Applied Philosophy in New York where
she taught until 1952. Her writings and teachings incorporated elements of theosophy, psychoanalysis, world religion, and
philosophy. She died in 1952.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of May Benzenberg Mayer (1880-1952) span the years 1926-1983, with the bulk of the material dating from
1926 to 1952. The collection documents Mayer’s teachings, lectures, and writings as an instructor and founder of the
School of Applied Philosophy, also known as the Path of Joining of Devotion and Gnosis (POJODAG) House.
The collection primarily documents Mayer’s esoteric philosophic teachings throughout her twenty-eight years at the
School of Applied Philosophy. Her papers showcase the unique combination of world religion, philosophy, theosophy, and
psychiatry she used to create her own “wisdom-lore” teachings. The collection was compiled by two of Mayer’s students,
Gertrude Borchard (1891-1981) and Alice Borchard Greene (1893-1972), and shows their commitment to Mayer’s ideas
and the work of the School of Applied Philosophy. The collection includes a manuscript of Mayer’s teachings compiled
from lecture notes and audio recordings by Borchard and Greene. Also included are copies of Living magazine that
comprises Mayer’s writings as well as news and course schedules from the School of Applied Philosophy and essays by
Mayer’s students. Other writings by Mayer are included as pamphlets published both before and after her death. In addition,
hand-painted posters visually illustrate her teachings on philosophy, religion, truth, and enlightenment.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by
name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Borchard, Gertrude, 1891-1981.
Greene, Alice Borchard, 1893-1972.
Mayer, May Benzenberg, 1880-1952.
Organizations
School of Applied Philosophy (New York, N.Y.)
Subjects
Enlightenment–Study and teaching.
Enlightenment.
Philosophy–Study and teaching.
Philosophy.
Psychiatry–Study and teaching.
Psychiatry.
Religion–Study and teaching.
Religion.
Theosophy–Study and teaching.
Theosophy.
Truth–Study and teaching.
Truth.
Places
New York (N.Y.)–Intellectual life–20th century.
United States–Intellectual life–20th century.
Titles
Living (Magazine)
Occupations
Educators.
Philosophers.
Psychiatrists.