Josephine Elizabeth Scremin was born August 12, 1933. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1956 and later briefly taught at business school.

She had an eight-year marriage to Harry C. Aichner during which time she lived in Mayville, NY and was active in the Chautauqua Writers Guild and had a number of poems published.

A few years before her death on February 2, 1985 she taught English as a second language to adult students, mainly Syracuse University students and/or their families. She excelled in French, Italian, Spanish and German.

The collection consists of her journal, and published writings and documentation detailing in which publication they appeared. There are also many unpublished poems. The collection was donated to the Syracuse University Archives by her sister-in-law Patricia Webb Scremin, '54.