Simon Halkin (1898-1987), poet, novelist, scholar and educator, was born in Russia and emigrated to New York with his family in 1914. He earned degrees from the Hebrew Union College and Columbia University and went on to teach Hebrew Literature and Language. Between 1932 and 1939, he taught English in Tel Aviv and then returned to America and became professor of Hebrew Literature at the Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. He returned to Israel in 1949 and was appointed Head of the Department of Hebrew Literature at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He published books of poetry, two novels, short stories and major works of criticism. He translated works by Shakespeare, Shelley and Whitman into Hebrew. Halkin lived in Jerusalem until his death.
Books Published in Hebrew
On Santa Barbara Beach (poetry), Hedim, 1928 [Al Chof Santa Barbara: Poema Lirit]
Yehiel Hahagri (novel), Berlin: Stybel, 1928; Tel Aviv: Stybel, 1936; M. Neumann, 1957 [Yehiel Ha-Hagri]
In Six Days and Seven Nights (poetry), Hedim, 1929 [Be-Yamim Shisha ve-Leilot Shiv'a: Sonetot]
Baruch Ben Neriah (poetry), Shem, 1934 [Baruch Ben Neriah: Poema]
Temporary and Permanent (essays), New York: Ohel, 1942 [Aray Ve-Keva: Iyunim Ba-Sifrut]
To the Point of Crisis (novel), Am Oved, 1945; 1968 [Ad Mashber: Sefer Rishon: Choref 1929]
On the Island (poetry), Bialik Institute, 1946 [Al Ha-Ee]
Jews and Judaism in America (essay), Schocken, 1946 [Yehudim Ve-Yahadut Be-Amerika]
Introduction to Hebrew Prose (non-fiction), Mif'al Ha-Shichpul, Hebrew University, 1954; 1958 [Mavo La-Siporet Ha-Ivrit: Reshimot Lefi Hartza'otav Shel Prof. S. Halkin]
Crossing The Jabbok (poetry), Am Oved, 1965 [Ma'avar Yabbok]
Ways and Byways in Literature [3 vols.], Academon, 1969 [Drachim Ve-Tzidei Drachim Ba-Sifrut]
Adrift (stories), Bialik Institute, 1972 [Nechar]
Collected Poems (poetry), Bialik Institute, 1977 [Shirim: 1917-1973]
Conventions and Crises in Hebrew Literature (essays), Bialik Institute, 1980 [Muskamot U-Mashberim Be-Sifrutenu: Yod-Bet Sichot Al Ha-Sifrut Ha-Ivrit Ha-Chadasha]
Meyby (poetry), Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1982 [Ulay: Mivchar Shirim 1929-1979]
Trends and Forms in Modern Hebrew Literature: Book 1: Chapters in the Literature of Haskalah and Hibat-Zion (non-fiction), Bialik Institute, 1984 [Zramim Ve-Tzurot Ba-Sifrut Ha-Ivrit Ha-Chadasha: Sefer Rishon: Prakim Be-Sifrut Ha-Haskala Ve-Chibat-Zion]
Walt Whitman: The Poet's Life and Work (essay), Sifriat Poalim, Hakibbutz Hameuchad, 1984 [Walt Whitman: Chayei Ha-Meshorer Vi-Yetzirato]
Issues ans Side-Issues in Literature (essays), Yachdav, The Hebrew Writers Association, 1984 [Dvarim Ve-Tzidei Dvarim Ba-Sifrut]
Unconditional Zionism (essays), Zionist Library/ World Zionist Organization, 1985 [Zionut She-Lo-Al-Tnay: Masot U-Reshimot]
Books Published in English
Hebrew Literature in Palestine (non-fiction), New York: American Fund for Palestinian Institutions, 1945?
Modern Hebrew Literature: Trends and Values (non-fiction), New York: Schocken Books, 1950; new ed. 1970
Books in Translation
Modern Hebrew Literature: Trends and Values
French: Paris, Presses Universitaires de France, 1958
Spanish: Mexico City, Fondo de Cultura Economica, 1968
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