Philosopher and classics scholar Heinrich Gomperz, born in Vienna in 1873, was the son of philosopher Theodor Gomperz. While living in Vienna, Heinrich Gomperz was on the periphery of the Schlick Circle, a discussion group organized in 1924 by the physics professor Moritz Schlick. This discussion circle was pluralistic and committed to the ideals of the Enlightenment; The Circle sought to make philosophy scientific with the help of modern logic on the basis of scientific and everyday experience.

Heinrich Gomperz came to Southern California in 1936 as Visiting Professor at the University of Southern California when his position at the University of Vienna was eliminated. In 1938, Gomperz, who was Jewish, made the decision to permanently emigrate to the United States. He died in 1942. His widow, Ada, gave this collection of correspondence to long-time friends, Claremont Colleges professor Philip Merlan and his wife Franciszka.

Researchers may be interested in the collection file for these materials, which contains a 1983 article titled "Robert Lytton and Theodor Gomperz and the Gomperz Collections in Southern California" by Tania Rizzo. Please contact Special Collections staff to view this file.