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Democrats For Willkie papers

 Collection
Identifier: BE.D38

Biographical/Historical note

These papers come from the files of the Democrats-For-Willkie, a splinter group of the Democratic Party which was organized to back Wendell L. Willkie in his campaign for the presidency in 1940. The group was opposed to the re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt for a third term, believing that a third term went against American tradition, and feeling that a third and fourth term could eventually lead to dictatorship.

In July of 1940 Lewis W. Douglas, John W. Hanes, Mrs. Roberta Campbell Lawson and Alan Valentine organized the National Committee of Democrats-For-Willkie. Alan Valentine was chosen the Executive Director and their headquarters were located in the Chanin Building in New York City. The Democrats-For-Willkie functioned at the state level through the appointment of State Advisory Chairmen as well as through direct communication with local Democratic organizations which sympathized with Willike. The National Committee was dissolved after Willkie's defeat on November 5, 1940.

Scope and Contents

Index:

Subject File: The Subject File consists of sixteen boxes of correspondence and miscellaneous material which have been arranged topically. The first five boxes contain individual topic s arranged from A to Z and the remaining eleven boxes contain larger units, such as Press Releases and News Clippings, which have also been arranged alphabetically.

Geographic File: The Geographic File consists of twenty boxes of correspondence arranged by state. Within this geographic classification the material is divided into several categories listed below. The number of categories and the amount of material in each category varies greatly between the different states. In this inventory the individual s for each state are not listed; however, easy reference can be made to the boxes to determine how each state fits into the general pattern.

Alphabetical File: The Alphabetical File consists of four boxes. It is primarily a file of carbon copies of letters sent out from various members of the Democrats-for-Willkie. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by the name of the addressee.

Treasurer's Office File: The Treasurer's Office File consists of two boxes of financial reports, correspondence and memoranda which have been arranged topically. There are also eight ledgers concerning the financial functions of the organization of Democrats-for-Willkie. The official financial reports have been wrapped in a separate package.

Packages and Memorabilia

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: July - November 1940

Language of Materials

English

Extent

42 box(es) (42 boxes, 9 volumes, and 9 packages)

Access

The Democrats-For-Willkie Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers were placed on deposit in the University Library through the efforts of President Alan Valentine. Their use was restricted for ten years (until January 1, 1951) to members of the Committee, or persons authorized by them; thereafter they became available to the public. As their return was not demanded by the Committee before January 1, 1961, they became the outright property of the University Library on that date.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Democrats-For-Willkie Papers, BE.D38, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Title
Democrats For Willkie papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA