Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM, Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, 1996
Item
Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM, N.D. (WLA, Mundelein College Photograph Collection)
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 1 Side B
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side A
Interview Audio Tape 2 Side B
Interview Transcript
Title
Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM, Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, 1996
Summary
Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM describes her work as a Milton scholar with a focus on early seventeenth-century scholarship on Genesis. Sister Irma reflects on her formative childhood experiences and her friendships. Sister Irma was one of the “first five,” a group of academically inclined novitiates hand picked by Mundelein’s first president, Sister Justicia Coffey. The five young sisters were educated at various institutions and then returned to Mundelein to teach. Sister Irma discusses her daily duties as one of Mundelein’s first faculty members.
Date Created
1996
Biography
Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM was born in 1905 in Anamosa, Iowa. Sister Irma received a master of arts degree from Columbia University, specializing in English Renaissance, and earned a doctorate in English from Catholic University. Sister Irma was a professor of English at Mundelein College from 1930 to 1972 and served as advisor for the colleges literary journals: The Review, The Oval, and Quest. Sister Irma was also a distinguished author, lecturer, and social activist. Corcoran was an active member of Mundelein from its opening in 1931 until its affiliation in 1991. Sister Irma passed away in 2000.
Time Log
Sister Irma Corcoran, BVM
Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, May 7, 1996
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Discusses the beginnings of Mundelein College. Discusses her studies of early seventeenth-century scholarship on Genesis, including her purchase of a commentary on Genesis Comparium in Geneson by Desolate Cajetan that was influential in the writing of John Milton’s The Temptation of Eve. Had studied all works on Genesis down to Paradise Lost. Discusses a commentary on the book of Genesis for Catholic University at Leuven, Belgium. Visited a Renaissance Meeting at the University of Indiana. Letter from Sister Mary Aurelius
5-10 minutes
Sister Irma Corcoran’s interests as a Milton scholar. Copies of the above commentary on Genesis had been at the British Museum but it was worn out. The origins of Sister Irma’s interest in John Milton. St. Bernard.
10-15 minutes
Became interested in the sixteenth and seventeenth century because she read Shakespeare as a child because she did not have children’s books when she was young. Discusses memories of 1913 in rural Missouri.
15-20 minutes
Reflects on childhood friendship with Don Moore,who was said to know Shakespeare by heart as a child. He later a managing editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine. Retired to Boca Raton, Florida. Recalls reading and staging Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night’s Dream as a child.
20-25 minutes
Corcoran had a childhood friendship with novelist Ed Gorman of Cedar Rapid, Iowa. Her mother collected sixteenth and seventeenth-century poets and Shakespeare.
Corcoran went to Columbia University from the novitiate.
The cofounder and first president of Mundelein College, Sister Mary Justicia Coffey chose college educated BVMs (including Sister Irma Corcoran) and sent them to earn master's degrees in preparation for teaching at Mundelein College. Sent two sisters to the Jesuit, St. Louis university.
25-30 minutes
Discusses her experiences at Columbia University and her introduction to the writings and poetry of John Milton.
Discusses mother and father’s Catholic fundamentalist theological views and the influence of Jansenistic Irish Priests.
30-35 minutes
Discusses St. Anselm’s Cosmological arguments. Father had been an ameteur anthropologist, archeologist, and paleontologist.
Recollects her excitement as a child over spring and fall book catalogues.
Tape 1, Side B
1-5 minutes
Discusses childhood country school experiences, Theodore Roosevelt’s campaign for re-election, Mundelein College’s “Little Green House” memories, the construction of the Skyscraper, and 1930 religious life. Discusses Harvard’s Widener Library.
5-10 minutes
Discusses duties at Mundelein.
Recollects the school, and visits with Sister Justicia to Our Lady’s Academy on the south side of Chicago.
Discusses her acquaintance with construction managers of the Skyscraper and her work running messages for Sister Justicia with the managers.
10-15 minutes
Discusses the construction of Mundelein Skyscraper.
Relays memories of cafeteria duties, a Mundelein collie named Prince, given to the Sister Robert Hugh’s brother. Sister Irma recalls morning walks with Sister Mary Justicia at Mundelein especially to the view the facade of Sacred Heart School. Recollects Sacred Heart School.
15-20 minutes
Discusses Sister Mary Justicia and supervision of Skyscraper construction and Mundelein administration.
Relays memories of Clarke College and preparation for college teaching.
20-25 minutes
Discusses her love for St. Augustine.
Relays memories of reading Washington Irving’s The Alhambra as a child.
Recollects the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Boarding School in Chillicothe, Missouri.
25-30 minutes
Discusses her marks as a student and her father’s childhood reading habits and his family’s arrival in the U.S. in 1848.
Recollects her father’s memories of Native American neighbors on land which was eventually sold to her family.
30-35 minutes
Relays her father’s walking trip a year after the Custer Massacre and relays memories of a Native American war dance and threatened violence in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Tape 2, Side A
1-5 minutes
Tells the story of visiting a monument in commemoration of Custer’s Last Stand.
5-10 minutes
Corcoran discusses her desire to become a journalist and her search for universities such as Medill School of Journalism and Coe College.
10-15 minutes
Was acquainted with George Gallup at college. Discusses her religious awakening. Discusses the poor, Irish “barefoot” section of her hometown.
15-20 minutes
Discusses her decision to become a nun and her entry into the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). Enjoys the work of St. Theresa and Cervantes. Obtained a teaching license while at Clarke.
20-25 minutes
Discusses her experiences with the BVMs in Dubuque. Friend at Mt. Carmel Penny Pendergast whose father was a political “boss” in Kansas City.
25-30 minutes
Discusses the education of women especially for those in the BVM order.
30-35 minutes
Sister Mary Justicia was Corcoran’s direct superior until 1936. Sister Mary Consuela, who was brilliant and temperamental, followed . She was determined to gain as many advanced degrees as possible for the members of the order despite the stock market crash and financial limitations. Sent Sister Mary Irene to Fordham and herself to Catholic University for a PhD.
Tape 2, Side B
1-5 minutes
Recollects experiences at Catholic University. Asserts that the students were expected to have minors and majors at her university.
Recalls a major in English literature in the era of Beowulf and a minor, philosophy and linguistics.
Relays memories of the Mundelein German teacher, Sister Mary Celesta.
5-10 minutes
Discusses memories of leave to attend to parents in their final illnesses.
Relays memories of community life.
10-15 minutes
Discusses the Mundelein Literary magazine: The Oval, the poetry magazine: Quest, the newspaper: The Skyscraper, and work on the yearbooks.
Recollects community life late at night. Went to bed most often at 3:00 am because of their duties. Recalls memories of a room on the 13th floor of the skyscraper.
Asserts that Mundelein’s mission for women of modest means in the city was unique.
Recalls a 1961 American Association of University Women (AAUW) grant.
15-20 minutes
Discusses work on the Oval and her friendships with students.
20-25 minutes
Recollects the 1934 charter class at Mundelein.
Relays her feelings regarding the affiliation with Loyola
25-30 minutes
Was at peace with the affiliation. Felt Mundelein had accomplished what God had wanted it to accomplish. Has no regrets. Was able to contribute to the Gannon Center and to the Coffey Mature Women’s Scholarship Fund.
Interview with Joan Steinbrecher, May 7, 1996
Chicago, IL
Time Log
Tape 1, Side A
0-5 minutes
Discusses the beginnings of Mundelein College. Discusses her studies of early seventeenth-century scholarship on Genesis, including her purchase of a commentary on Genesis Comparium in Geneson by Desolate Cajetan that was influential in the writing of John Milton’s The Temptation of Eve. Had studied all works on Genesis down to Paradise Lost. Discusses a commentary on the book of Genesis for Catholic University at Leuven, Belgium. Visited a Renaissance Meeting at the University of Indiana. Letter from Sister Mary Aurelius
5-10 minutes
Sister Irma Corcoran’s interests as a Milton scholar. Copies of the above commentary on Genesis had been at the British Museum but it was worn out. The origins of Sister Irma’s interest in John Milton. St. Bernard.
10-15 minutes
Became interested in the sixteenth and seventeenth century because she read Shakespeare as a child because she did not have children’s books when she was young. Discusses memories of 1913 in rural Missouri.
15-20 minutes
Reflects on childhood friendship with Don Moore,who was said to know Shakespeare by heart as a child. He later a managing editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine. Retired to Boca Raton, Florida. Recalls reading and staging Romeo and Juliet and Midsummer Night’s Dream as a child.
20-25 minutes
Corcoran had a childhood friendship with novelist Ed Gorman of Cedar Rapid, Iowa. Her mother collected sixteenth and seventeenth-century poets and Shakespeare.
Corcoran went to Columbia University from the novitiate.
The cofounder and first president of Mundelein College, Sister Mary Justicia Coffey chose college educated BVMs (including Sister Irma Corcoran) and sent them to earn master's degrees in preparation for teaching at Mundelein College. Sent two sisters to the Jesuit, St. Louis university.
25-30 minutes
Discusses her experiences at Columbia University and her introduction to the writings and poetry of John Milton.
Discusses mother and father’s Catholic fundamentalist theological views and the influence of Jansenistic Irish Priests.
30-35 minutes
Discusses St. Anselm’s Cosmological arguments. Father had been an ameteur anthropologist, archeologist, and paleontologist.
Recollects her excitement as a child over spring and fall book catalogues.
Tape 1, Side B
1-5 minutes
Discusses childhood country school experiences, Theodore Roosevelt’s campaign for re-election, Mundelein College’s “Little Green House” memories, the construction of the Skyscraper, and 1930 religious life. Discusses Harvard’s Widener Library.
5-10 minutes
Discusses duties at Mundelein.
Recollects the school, and visits with Sister Justicia to Our Lady’s Academy on the south side of Chicago.
Discusses her acquaintance with construction managers of the Skyscraper and her work running messages for Sister Justicia with the managers.
10-15 minutes
Discusses the construction of Mundelein Skyscraper.
Relays memories of cafeteria duties, a Mundelein collie named Prince, given to the Sister Robert Hugh’s brother. Sister Irma recalls morning walks with Sister Mary Justicia at Mundelein especially to the view the facade of Sacred Heart School. Recollects Sacred Heart School.
15-20 minutes
Discusses Sister Mary Justicia and supervision of Skyscraper construction and Mundelein administration.
Relays memories of Clarke College and preparation for college teaching.
20-25 minutes
Discusses her love for St. Augustine.
Relays memories of reading Washington Irving’s The Alhambra as a child.
Recollects the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Boarding School in Chillicothe, Missouri.
25-30 minutes
Discusses her marks as a student and her father’s childhood reading habits and his family’s arrival in the U.S. in 1848.
Recollects her father’s memories of Native American neighbors on land which was eventually sold to her family.
30-35 minutes
Relays her father’s walking trip a year after the Custer Massacre and relays memories of a Native American war dance and threatened violence in Jamestown, North Dakota.
Tape 2, Side A
1-5 minutes
Tells the story of visiting a monument in commemoration of Custer’s Last Stand.
5-10 minutes
Corcoran discusses her desire to become a journalist and her search for universities such as Medill School of Journalism and Coe College.
10-15 minutes
Was acquainted with George Gallup at college. Discusses her religious awakening. Discusses the poor, Irish “barefoot” section of her hometown.
15-20 minutes
Discusses her decision to become a nun and her entry into the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). Enjoys the work of St. Theresa and Cervantes. Obtained a teaching license while at Clarke.
20-25 minutes
Discusses her experiences with the BVMs in Dubuque. Friend at Mt. Carmel Penny Pendergast whose father was a political “boss” in Kansas City.
25-30 minutes
Discusses the education of women especially for those in the BVM order.
30-35 minutes
Sister Mary Justicia was Corcoran’s direct superior until 1936. Sister Mary Consuela, who was brilliant and temperamental, followed . She was determined to gain as many advanced degrees as possible for the members of the order despite the stock market crash and financial limitations. Sent Sister Mary Irene to Fordham and herself to Catholic University for a PhD.
Tape 2, Side B
1-5 minutes
Recollects experiences at Catholic University. Asserts that the students were expected to have minors and majors at her university.
Recalls a major in English literature in the era of Beowulf and a minor, philosophy and linguistics.
Relays memories of the Mundelein German teacher, Sister Mary Celesta.
5-10 minutes
Discusses memories of leave to attend to parents in their final illnesses.
Relays memories of community life.
10-15 minutes
Discusses the Mundelein Literary magazine: The Oval, the poetry magazine: Quest, the newspaper: The Skyscraper, and work on the yearbooks.
Recollects community life late at night. Went to bed most often at 3:00 am because of their duties. Recalls memories of a room on the 13th floor of the skyscraper.
Asserts that Mundelein’s mission for women of modest means in the city was unique.
Recalls a 1961 American Association of University Women (AAUW) grant.
15-20 minutes
Discusses work on the Oval and her friendships with students.
20-25 minutes
Recollects the 1934 charter class at Mundelein.
Relays her feelings regarding the affiliation with Loyola
25-30 minutes
Was at peace with the affiliation. Felt Mundelein had accomplished what God had wanted it to accomplish. Has no regrets. Was able to contribute to the Gannon Center and to the Coffey Mature Women’s Scholarship Fund.
Index
Irma Corcoran 1996 Index
KEY
IC1996 T1= Irma Corcoran 1996 Interview Tape 1
IC1996 T2= Irma Corcoran 1996 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
Affiliation with Loyola, IC1996 T2 Side B 20-25
American Association of University Women (AAUW), IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Beowulf, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Boca Raton, Florida, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Boss Pendergast, IC1996 T2 Side A 20-25
Cajetan, Desolate, Comparium in Geneson, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Catholic University, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Catholic University at Luvaine, Belgium, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
Chillicothe, Missouri, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Clarke College, IC1996 T1, Side B 15-20
Coe College, IC1996 T2 Side A 5-10
Coffey, Sister Mary Justicia, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Coffey Mature Women’s Scholarship Fund, IC1996 T2 Side B 25-30
Columbia University, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25, IC1996 T1, Side A, 25-30
Cosmopolitan Magazine, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Custer Massacre, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Custer Monument, IC1996 T2 side A 1-5
Education of women, IC1996 T2 Side A 25-30
Fordham College, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Gallup, George, IC1996 T2 Side A 10-15
Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, IC1996 T2 Side B 25-30
Gorman, Ed, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
Harvard College Widener Library, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
Irving, Washington, The Alhambra, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Jamestown, North Dakota, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Jansenistic Irish Priests, IC1996 T1, Side A, 25-30
“Little Green House,” IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
Medill School of Journalism, IC1996 T2 Side A 5-10
Milton, John, Paradise Lost, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Milton, John, The Temptation of Eve, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Mission of Mundelein, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Moore, Don, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Native American War Dance, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Our Lady’s Academy, IC1996 T1, Side B 5-10
Pendergast, Penny, IC1996 T2 Side A 20-25
Prince, the collie, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Quest, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Sacred Heart School, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Shakespeare, William, IC1996 T1, Side A, 10-15
Sister Mary Aurelius, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Sister Mary Celesta, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Sister Mary Consuela, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Sister Robert Hugh, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), IC1996 T2 Side A 15-20
Sisters of St. Joseph’s Boarding School in Chillicothe, Missouri, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Skyscraper building, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
St. Anselm’s Cosmological Arguments, IC1996 T1, Side A 30-35
St. Augustine, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
St. Bernard, IC1996 T1, Side A, 5-10
St. Louis University, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
St. Theresa, IC1996 T2 Side A 15-20
The Book of Genesis, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
The British Museum, IC1996 T1, Side A, 5-10
Theodore Roosevelt, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
The Oval, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15, IC1996 T2 Side B 15-20
The Skyscraper, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
University of Indiana, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
KEY
IC1996 T1= Irma Corcoran 1996 Interview Tape 1
IC1996 T2= Irma Corcoran 1996 Interview Tape 2
INDEX
Affiliation with Loyola, IC1996 T2 Side B 20-25
American Association of University Women (AAUW), IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Beowulf, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Boca Raton, Florida, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Boss Pendergast, IC1996 T2 Side A 20-25
Cajetan, Desolate, Comparium in Geneson, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Catholic University, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Catholic University at Luvaine, Belgium, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
Chillicothe, Missouri, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Clarke College, IC1996 T1, Side B 15-20
Coe College, IC1996 T2 Side A 5-10
Coffey, Sister Mary Justicia, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Coffey Mature Women’s Scholarship Fund, IC1996 T2 Side B 25-30
Columbia University, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25, IC1996 T1, Side A, 25-30
Cosmopolitan Magazine, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Custer Massacre, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Custer Monument, IC1996 T2 side A 1-5
Education of women, IC1996 T2 Side A 25-30
Fordham College, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Gallup, George, IC1996 T2 Side A 10-15
Gannon Center for Women and Leadership, IC1996 T2 Side B 25-30
Gorman, Ed, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
Harvard College Widener Library, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
Irving, Washington, The Alhambra, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Jamestown, North Dakota, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Jansenistic Irish Priests, IC1996 T1, Side A, 25-30
“Little Green House,” IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
Medill School of Journalism, IC1996 T2 Side A 5-10
Milton, John, Paradise Lost, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Milton, John, The Temptation of Eve, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Mission of Mundelein, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Moore, Don, IC1996 T1, Side A, 15-20
Native American War Dance, IC1996 T1, Side B 30-35
Our Lady’s Academy, IC1996 T1, Side B 5-10
Pendergast, Penny, IC1996 T2 Side A 20-25
Prince, the collie, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Quest, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
Sacred Heart School, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Shakespeare, William, IC1996 T1, Side A, 10-15
Sister Mary Aurelius, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
Sister Mary Celesta, IC1996 T2 Side B 1-5
Sister Mary Consuela, IC1996 T2 Side A 30-35
Sister Robert Hugh, IC1996 T1, Side B 10-15
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM), IC1996 T2 Side A 15-20
Sisters of St. Joseph’s Boarding School in Chillicothe, Missouri, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
Skyscraper building, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
St. Anselm’s Cosmological Arguments, IC1996 T1, Side A 30-35
St. Augustine, IC1996 T1, Side B 20-25
St. Bernard, IC1996 T1, Side A, 5-10
St. Louis University, IC1996 T1, Side A, 20-25
St. Theresa, IC1996 T2 Side A 15-20
The Book of Genesis, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
The British Museum, IC1996 T1, Side A, 5-10
Theodore Roosevelt, IC1996 T1, Side B 1-5
The Oval, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15, IC1996 T2 Side B 15-20
The Skyscraper, IC1996 T2 Side B 10-15
University of Indiana, IC1996 T1, Side A, 0-5
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