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Jutta Schütt Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSE/MD 3826

Scope and Contents

The Jutta Schütt Collection contains letters from a single, German mother recounting her experiences living under the Nazi regime. The collection also includes a series of early 20th century American courtship letters between NED Russo and Vira Grandinetti, beginning in 1916. The correspondence within the collection cover issues of American politics. The Schütt letters also deal with the evolving social and legal situation in Nazi Germany particularly in regard to custody and Aryan verification.

Dates

  • Creation: 1916 - 1939

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright status for collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Biographical / Historical

Jutta Schütt was born 27 October 1910 in Germany and lived in Berlin. She met Russo while he was studying in Heidelberg. Her correspondence began with Russo after he left Germany, a few months after the birth of her child. Her son, Ulrich Schütt, was born 34 March 1935. She also referred to Ulrich using a variety of names, including "Blinkins," "Justin," "Ulli," and "Bunny." Schütt was able to secure a secretarial position at "Elektroworks." She and her son temporarily lived in a home for unwed mothers. Due to financial difficulty, she was forced to change homes multiple times. Her relationship with Russo caused considerable tension between her and her family. Russo also had an affair with Lisa Schmücking before he left. This created a strained relationship for Schütt and Schmücking. Schütt assisted Russo in his writing ventures, including "St. W." ("Sterile World.") Jutta Schütt believed for a long time that Russo would return to Germany to take her and her son to the United States. As of 1939, he still had not done so.

Rose Elvira Grandinetti was born 3 June 1901 in New York, New York and lived in Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1916, while still in high school, she met Russo, who was twenty. Grandinetti married another man and likely had an illegitimate daughter (named Pat) with Russo during that period. She eventually married and lived with Russo.

Nicholas Emerson Dante [NED] Russo was born 4 March 1897 in New York, New York. He claimed to be an Italian American Roman Catholic. Russo used various forms of his name throughout his life, which resulted in the frequent scrambling of his name. Russo participated the First World War as a doctor. He spent some time in Germany, studying in Heidelberg, before returning to the United States. He had multiple affairs with women younger than him. He eventually married Vira Grandinetti, with whom he had had an illegitimate daughter, and started his own private practice. He also considered himself to be a writer.

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

German

Abstract

A series of documents and letters from Jutta Schütt, Rose Elvira Grandinetti, Nicholas Emerson Dante Russo, and others, beginning in July 1916 and ending in July 1939.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically by sender in four series: 1. NED Russo's correspondence with the Grandinetti family; 2. Miscellaneous Documents, including letters from other women in Germany to NED Russo; 3. the Jutta Schütt letters to NED Russo; 4. Ephemera.

Title
Jutta Schütt Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Hannah Herbst and Julie Tanaka
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Notre Dame Rare Books & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
102 Hesburgh Library
Notre Dame IN 46556
574-631-0290