“Emma Lazarus’ ‘Golden Door’: Thomas Boylston, Emmerich Kálmán , and SUNY/China 150 Students”
Daniel S. Marrone
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and Faculty Senator
Farmingdale State College
October 1, 2008
The United States has always been a safe haven to turn to for a better life. What should also be considered is what these immigrants have given back to our country. Epic poet Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) composed The New Colossus (in 1883) as an "American welcome" to millions of "huddled masses." She concludes her epic work with the promise, "I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" Her inspiring words are a credo permanently affixed at the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor as well as in the hearts of all Americans. Written just four years before her premature death from cancer, Ms. Lazarus' American "golden door" has opened innumerable times to those in need. Here are some examples of indviduals who came to America and have "given back" indelible legacies.
Like those before and many, many since, Thomas Boylston (1644-1695) immigrated to the New World seeking greater opportunities for his family. Already an eminent surgeon in England, he hoped for more freedom in practicing his chosen profession. After settling in Boston, Boylston raised his family. Among his children was medical pioneer Zabdiel Boyston (1679-1766) who achieved many "firsts." Among his monumental achievements were the first documented surgical operations to remove gallstones (in 1710) and breast tumors (in 1718). He was also the first physician to use innoculations (in 1721) to prevent smallpox. Through his groundbreaking medical innovations that subsequently were to become standardized medical practices, Zabdiel Boylston is justly credited with saving countless lives. Immigrant Thomas Boyston's granddaughter, Abigail Boylston Smith (1744-1818) married-at the time-a school teacher who would soon turn to the law as a new career. This nascent attorney became prominent during the American Revolution serving in numerous ministerial capacities. He also was to become our second president, John Adams (1735-1826). Their son, John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), became our sixth president from 1825 to 1829. After being president, "JQA" (as he preferred to be addressed) spent a long, illustrious career in the U.S. House of Representatives tirelessly fighting for abolition (Nagel, 1997; Toledo-Pereyra, 2006). The Adamses and Boylstons have continued to be leading figures in American history.
Emmerich Kálmán entered Emma's "golden door" in 1940. Born Imre Koppstein in Siófok (formerly in the Austro-Hungarian Empire) in 1882, Kálmán, along with Franz Lehár, created the "Silver Age" of Viennese operetta during the first quarter of the 20th century. Operettas, to an extent, have served as musical forms bridging grand operas and today's Broadway musicals. In fact, many of Kálmán's German-language operettas (such as Gräfin Mariza) were translated and produced on Broadway and became long-running hits! After Austria's Anschluss with Germany, Kálmán was forced to leave Vienna in 1939. He lived most of the remaining 14 years of his life in the United States. He continued to compose while in the U.S. including collaborations with Lorenz ("Larry") Hart. By 1945, in increasing declining health, Kálmán wrote his last operetta, Arizona Lady. Although entirely European in outlook, Kálmán let it be known that this final musical work was his heartfelt tribute to his adopted country (Martin, 2005, p. 12). He passed away in 1953 forever grateful to the U.S. for opening its "golden door" to him.
In 2008, 150 undergraduate students from earthquake ravaged China entered 22 SUNY campuses. These young men and women are pursuing their education undeterred by tragic events at home. The Chinese students are now our students. They are affectionately referred to as the "SUNY/China 150" group. The students have promised to return to their homeland after a year of study in America to help rebuild their devastated Sichuan Province. They will go back with the knowledge and confidence to lead the ongoing monumental reconstruction effort in the Upper Yangtze Valley of southwestern China. I have been fortunate to be assigned all 19 of these students attending Farmingdale State College. Their participation in my Business, Government & Society (BUS412) course has been very beneficial. Bringing a different perspective to business-societal relationships, they have challenged my thinking regarding the course. Whether intentional or not, they have broadened my understanding of the raison d'êtrè of the course. As a result, I hope to refocus and rename this course, Global Affairs in Business, Government & Society in the near future. It is too early to tell regarding the lasting effect of having our China group at SUNY. However, from what I have experienced so far, I can truly say these are wonderful individuals. SUNY has been given a gift by their presence.
These accounts of special individuals are intended to show that Emma Lazarus' "golden door" not only provides a welcoming entry into our country. The door also swings the other way by allowing newcomers to our shores a way for their goodness and contributions to come out as well!
References:
Martin, J. W. (2005). A Survey of the Operettas of Emmerich Kálmán. Doctoral dissertation, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
Nagel, P. C. (1997). John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Toledo-Pereyra, L. H. (2006). Zabdiel Boylston: First American Surgeon of the English Colonies in North America. Journal of Investigate Surgery 19(1) 5-10. (Dr. Luis H. Toledo-Pereyra is Professor of Surgery and Director of Research at Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies.)