Papers of AH Askanasy

The archive consists of a typescript 'The Catastrophe of Patriarchy', volume 1. Described as a 'critical study of the manner in which women under Matriarchy and men under Patriarchy have sought to solve the problems of Earth, Labour and Love', this volume forms Part I of a work whose complete scope is not indicated. In its six chapters, the 'problems' are set out in historical, biological, religious and economic contexts, with the patriarchal solutions found heavily wanting.

There is extensive contents list and bibliography: many of the works cited are originally in German.

Anna Helene Askanasy (fl.1930-fl.1970) was a Viennese women, and Gustav Mahler's niece, who appears to have been involved in both the women's movement and the movement for peace which sprang up in Austria in the wake of the First World War. She spoke at the conference on statelessness which was organised by Mary Sheepshanks at the request of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and which was held in Sep 1930. She also entered into correspondence with both Robert Briffault and Mary Beard at some point. At another stage she began writing a book in German whose English translation was 'The Catastrophe of Patriarchy' and worked with Birgitta M Schulte on the publication of the 'Lexikon der Frau' in Switzerland in 1953-1954. She appears to have been active until around 1970.

This collection is available for research. Readers are advised to contact The Women's Library in advance of their first visit.

Found in the papers of the late Dr GW Pailthorpe of London NW3., this 400-page typescript was donated to the Fawcett in 1989 by Dr CL Dolman of Vancouver, British Columbia

Fonds Description (1 folder only)

Further papers of Askanasy (1931-1970) are held in the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College, Northampton, (United States of America) while her correspondence with Robert Briffault is kept with the latter's collection at the William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections at McMaster University Library Ontario, Canada. Her letters to Mary Beard are held amongst the Charles and Mary Beard Papers in the Archives of Depauw University and Indiana United Methodism.