Abstract
The article describes the early history of Columbia University’s Slavic Languages Department, established in 1915. Special attention is given to the Polish language and literature programs, inaugurated in 1916, and to the contributions of many faculty members, especially Arthur P. Coleman (1887–1974), who taught at Columbia from 1928 to 1948. It lists Coleman’s published writings on several Slavic languages and literatures, namely his books and papers, translations, and articles in Polish and American newspapers as well as his contributions to the profession, most notably his work leading to the foundation of the American Association of the Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (AATSEEL). The article concludes with a summary of Coleman’s achievements in propagating Polish language, literature, and culture in the United States.
