From Vienna to New York: Lore Segal's moving life in focus

From Vienna to New York: Lore Segal's moving life in focus

The important writer and literary scholar Lore Segal died at the age of 95. Her life story, which was characterized by flight and fresh start, found its expression in many literary works and scientific essays, which touched generations of readers. Born as Lore Groszmann in Vienna, she escaped in 1938 with one of the first children's transports from the horrors of National Socialism. While her parents stayed in Vienna, her father managed to flee later too; However, he died in England in 1944 Segal studied English literature after graduation in London. In the years after graduating from 1948, she emigrated to the Dominican Republic and finally continued her way to the USA. There she started an impressive academic career and taught, among other things, at renowned universities such as Columbia University and Princeton. Her personal way was not easy - in 1970 she lost her husband, David Segal, to a heart attack. Nevertheless, she continued her literary and scientific career, supported by her mother, who lived with her until 2002.

literary development and awards

Segal's literary career took off in the 1970s when she initially published children's books and translated Grimm's fairy tales. Her debut novel “Lucinella” appeared twelve years after her debut. The work “Her First American”, published in 1985, is particularly noteworthy, which tells of the history of a Jewish emigrant and her life in the USA and found great recognition.

In 2007 Segal released the short story collection "Shakespeare’s Kitchen", which brought her a nomination for the Pulitzer Prize. This award was the highlight of their multitude of honors and a sign of their literary importance. Other works such as "Half The Kingdom" from 2013 are humorous in a humorous way of aging and dealing with death.

One of her last projects was the short story collection "Ladies’ lunch ", which was published in 2023 in both English and German. In the current edition of the "New Yorker", a text that she had dictated despite health challenges showed evidence of her tireless creativity. Her passion for the right words and the honest examination of life remained formative until the end. "I think it is about finding the right words when writing," said Segal, while she opposed the euphemist descriptions of age.

Segal's legacy will continue to exist through their literary works, their tireless intellectual energy and the memories of their lives, which they shared in the documentary “Children's Transport - into a Foreign World”. An exhibition on your life can be visited by January 26, 2025 in the Vienna-Josefstadt district museum, which offers a deeper insight into your extraordinary life and work. Lore Segal will be remembered as a fascinating personality in the world of literature.