N.Y.C. & Rockfall

1937—1965

In September of 1937 Lore and Ted emigrated to the United States via Rotterdam. Both married in 1938. They resided in Manhattan near Washington Square. Ted obtained a position as instructor of economics at New York University in 1937 and since 1942 at Columbia University. Lore supported Ted’s research and academic work with daily visits to the university library and research. Basically, she took on substantial academic tasks, which resembled the role of full-time research assistant, collaborator, editor, and even co-author. Ted carried a full teaching load of three to four classes per semester and additional summer school teaching. His academic position as non-tenured instructor of economics was precarious as it was dependent on the department’s often uncertain approval of annual contract renewal. Ted and Lore understood that their future as academics depended on Ted’s successful publication record, which is why Lore committed herself to fully concentrate on this.

In the 1940s Lore’s contribution reached a level that justified her co-authorship of book publications designed as teaching materials on the history of economics “Readings in Economics” (1949) and “A Graphic Approach to Economics” (1945). The former features Lore’s professional affiliation as Institute of Social Research at Columbia University.

Both moved to Rockfall, CT in 1946 for purposes of Kapp’s appointment as assistant professor of economics at Wesleyan University in Middleton, CT. They maintained residence in their home in the countryside until 1965. However, due to Kapp’s appointment as associate professor at CUNY-Brooklyn in 1950 the Kapps also rented a small apartment in northern Manhatten during the teaching term.

In 1949 Lore also gave a talk about Ernst Wiechert in Middleton, CT intended for the planned visit of the poet who had been Ted’s teacher in secondary school. Her text demonstrates the importance she assigned to the political-economic implications of Wiechert’s literary works.

Ted’s main works from this period “The Social Costs of Private Enterprise” (1950) and “The Social Costs of Business Enterprise” (1963) are officially dedicated “To my wife”. This reflects her significant contributions in the preparation of the manuscripts and the prefaces state: “The contribution which my wife has made to this book is too comprehensive to be explained fully. She rendered indispensable aid in connection with the research work; she has prepared preliminary drafts for certain sections; and she has borne many of the numerous burdens involved in the final completion the study.” (1950, p. xxviii). “As on previous occasions Lore L. Kapp has cooperated in every phase of the preparation of the second edition.” (1963, p. xxviii)

The Kapps with their cat

Ted’s preface to “Towards a Science of Man in Society” (1961) acknowledges his indebtedness to his wife: “My more specific debts are greatest to my wife, who, as on previous occasions, has shared my interest in the problems under investigation, helped in every phase of the research, and suggested many important changes in the course of the writing of the manuscript.” (p. xi) This book’s dedication reads: “To L.L.K.”.

In addition to these academic tasks, Lore also maintained their vast private and professional correspondance. In particular, she assisted her parents in exile by organizing contacts, providing legal advise, wiring money, amongst others. Her efforts to help them emigrate to the United States were not rewarded, however, as the arrival of the SS in Italy forced her parents to flee to Southern Italy. Her father passed away due to the hardships of this flight in December 1941. Her mother escaped to Switzerland and was able to reunite with Lore after the war. Next to her academic work Lore thus carried not just most of the burdens associated with settling into daily life as German emigres in Manhattan, but also the burdens associated with having families in peril abroad.