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- Collection Overview
- Biographical/Historical Note
- Arrangement
- Subject(s)
- Immediate Source of Acquisition
- Access
- Use
- Citation
- Related Materials
- Content List
- Series I: Early career, 1925-1942 Pre-District Attorney (boxes 1-3) Private Law Cases (boxes 4-11) District Attorney Personal Correspondence (boxes 12-61) District Attorney General Correspondence (boxes 62-76) District Attorney Un-Answered Letters (boxes 77-81) Harold Keller Correspondence (boxes 82-86) Congratulatories, 1934-35 (box 87) Statements, 1934-35 (box 88) District Attorney Law Materials (boxes 89-94) District Attorney Office Material (boxes 95-96) Series II: Campaigns, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964 1937 District Attorney and 1938 Gubernatorial (box 1) 1940 Presidential (boxes 2-5) 1942 Gubernatorial (boxes 6-9) 1942 Gubernatorial Correspondence (boxes 10-14) 1944 Presidential (box 15) 1946 Gubernatorial (box 16) 1948 Presidential, Oregon Primary (boxes 17-20) 1948 Presidential, State File (boxes 21-33) 1948 Presidential, Republican National Committee, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 34-37) 1948 Presidential, Topical File (boxes 38-50) 1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Incoming Correspondence (boxes 51-104) 1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 105-116) Presidential Campaign (boxes 117-119) 1950 Gubernatorial, 1960 and 1964 Presidential (box 120) Series III: Scrapbooks of newspaper articles, 1933-1957 Series IV: First term governor, 1943-1946 Personal Correspondence (204 boxes) General Correspondence (68 boxes) Series V: Second term governor, 1947-1950 Personal Correspondence (210 boxes) General Correspondence (98 boxes) Series VI: Third term governor, 1951-1954 Personal Correspondence (144 boxes) General Correspondence (84 boxes) Series VII: Miscellaneous governor material Major Legislation (boxes 1-10) General Legislation by Subject (boxes 11-23) General Legislation by Department (boxes 24-44) Commissions and Authorities (boxes 45-48) Board of Review of Veterans Affairs (boxes 49-52) Appointments, 1943-54 (boxes 53-113) Labor Department (boxes 114-110) Executive Clemency Cases (box 119) Series VIII: Post governor correspondence, 1955-1971 Early Personal (13 boxes) Late Personal (17 boxes) Early General (50 boxes) Late General (6 boxes) Series IX: Speeches, 1935-1966 Speeches by Dewey (boxes 1-34) Speeches by Others (boxes 35-37) Statements (boxes 38-40) Campaign Speech Material (boxes 41-44) Series X: Personal Dewey Correspondence (boxes 1-47) Mrs. Dewey Correspondence (boxes 48-80) Hutt Correspondence (boxes 81-82) Mrs. Annie T. Dewey (box 83) Personal Papers, Dewey (boxes 84-88) Personal Papers, Mrs. Dewey (boxes 89-90) Finances (boxes 91-102) Pawling Farm (boxes 103-112) Organizations (boxes 113-115) Articles (boxes 116-117) Hughes Biography (boxes 118-123) Far Pacific (boxes 124-136) Bills (boxes 137-160) Series XI: Calendars and photographs Engagement Calendars (4 boxes) Photographs (13 boxes, 14 scrapbooks) Series XII: Memorabilia Series XIII: Addition to Thomas E. Dewey papers Background notes and drafts for autobiography (boxes 1-8) Biographies by others (boxes 9-10) Herlands Investigation of Organized Crime, 1954 and Kefauver Committee Hearings, 1950-1951 (boxes 11-17) Death of Frances (Huts) Dewey (boxes 18-22) Death of Thomas E. Dewey (boxes 23-28) R. Burdell Bixby Files (boxes 29-35) Series XIV: Dewey ephemera
Thomas E. Dewey papers
Creator: Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Call Number: D.58.Legacy
Dates: 1925-1979
Physical Description: 1272 boxes, 283 scrapbooks, 252 transfer box, 199 items
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Table of Contents:
Biographical/Historical Note
Arrangement
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Related Materials
Content List
Series I: Early career, 1925-1942
Pre-District Attorney (boxes 1-3)
Private Law Cases (boxes 4-11)
District Attorney Personal Correspondence (boxes 12-61)
District Attorney General Correspondence (boxes 62-76)
District Attorney Un-Answered Letters (boxes 77-81)
Harold Keller Correspondence (boxes 82-86)
Congratulatories, 1934-35 (box 87)
Statements, 1934-35 (box 88)
District Attorney Law Materials (boxes 89-94)
District Attorney Office Material (boxes 95-96)
Series II: Campaigns, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964
1937 District Attorney and 1938 Gubernatorial (box 1)
1940 Presidential (boxes 2-5)
1942 Gubernatorial (boxes 6-9)
1942 Gubernatorial Correspondence (boxes 10-14)
1944 Presidential (box 15)
1946 Gubernatorial (box 16)
1948 Presidential, Oregon Primary (boxes 17-20)
1948 Presidential, State File (boxes 21-33)
1948 Presidential, Republican National Committee, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 34-37)
1948 Presidential, Topical File (boxes 38-50)
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Incoming Correspondence (boxes 51-104)
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 105-116)
Presidential Campaign (boxes 117-119)
1950 Gubernatorial, 1960 and 1964 Presidential (box 120)
Series III: Scrapbooks of newspaper articles, 1933-1957
Series IV: First term governor, 1943-1946
Personal Correspondence (204 boxes)
General Correspondence (68 boxes)
Series V: Second term governor, 1947-1950
Personal Correspondence (210 boxes)
General Correspondence (98 boxes)
Series VI: Third term governor, 1951-1954
Personal Correspondence (144 boxes)
General Correspondence (84 boxes)
Series VII: Miscellaneous governor material
Major Legislation (boxes 1-10)
General Legislation by Subject (boxes 11-23)
General Legislation by Department (boxes 24-44)
Commissions and Authorities (boxes 45-48)
Board of Review of Veterans Affairs (boxes 49-52)
Appointments, 1943-54 (boxes 53-113)
Labor Department (boxes 114-110)
Executive Clemency Cases (box 119)
Series VIII: Post governor correspondence, 1955-1971
Early Personal (13 boxes)
Late Personal (17 boxes)
Early General (50 boxes)
Late General (6 boxes)
Series IX: Speeches, 1935-1966
Speeches by Dewey (boxes 1-34)
Speeches by Others (boxes 35-37)
Statements (boxes 38-40)
Campaign Speech Material (boxes 41-44)
Series X: Personal
Dewey Correspondence (boxes 1-47)
Mrs. Dewey Correspondence (boxes 48-80)
Hutt Correspondence (boxes 81-82)
Mrs. Annie T. Dewey (box 83)
Personal Papers, Dewey (boxes 84-88)
Personal Papers, Mrs. Dewey (boxes 89-90)
Finances (boxes 91-102)
Pawling Farm (boxes 103-112)
Organizations (boxes 113-115)
Articles (boxes 116-117)
Hughes Biography (boxes 118-123)
Far Pacific (boxes 124-136)
Bills (boxes 137-160)
Series XI: Calendars and photographs
Engagement Calendars (4 boxes)
Photographs (13 boxes, 14 scrapbooks)
Series XII: Memorabilia
Series XIII: Addition to Thomas E. Dewey papers
Background notes and drafts for autobiography (boxes 1-8)
Biographies by others (boxes 9-10)
Herlands Investigation of Organized Crime, 1954 and Kefauver Committee Hearings, 1950-1951 (boxes 11-17)
Death of Frances (Huts) Dewey (boxes 18-22)
Death of Thomas E. Dewey (boxes 23-28)
R. Burdell Bixby Files (boxes 29-35)
Series XIV: Dewey ephemera
Collection Overview
Title: Thomas E. Dewey papers
Creator: Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Call Number: D.58.Legacy
Dates: 1925-1979
Physical Description: 1272 boxes, 283 scrapbooks, 252 transfer box, 199 items
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Biographical/Historical Note
CHRONOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY
March 24, 1902: Born in Owosso, Michigan
1919-23: Attended University of Michigan, Graduated A. B.
1923-25: Attended Columbia University Law School, Graduated LL. B.
1925-27: Associate of Larkin, Rathbone and Perry law firm
1926: Admitted to Bar of New York
1927-31: Associate of MacNamara and Seymour law firm
1931-33: Chief Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
1933: United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
1934-35: Private law practice
1934: Counsel to Association of the Bar of New York
1935-37: Special Prosecutor, Investigation of organized crime
1938-43: District Attorney of New York County
1938: Republican Candidate for Governor of New York State
1943-1955: Governor of New York State
1944, 1948: Republican Candidate for President of the United States; Defeated by Roosevelt in 1944 and Truman in 1948
1955-1971: Member of Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer and Wood law firm
March 16, 1971: Died.
Arrangement
The Thomas E. Dewey Papers at the University of Rochester Library have been organized in fourteen major series with each series containing several related files. A summary index of the series follows below.
Though a series may contain several different files, the box numbering within each series is consecutive. Further, each box contains numbered folders. Thus, a folder may be identified by a series number, box number and folder number, or by a series name, file name and folder label (numbered identification is preferred over name identification).
SERIES INDEX
Series 1: Early Career (1925-1942)
Series 2: Campaigns (1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964)
Series 3: Scrapbooks of Newspaper Clippings (1933-1957)
Series 4: First Term Governor Correspondence (1943-1946)
Series 5: Second Term Governor Correspondence (1947-1950)
Series 6: Third Term Governor Correspondence (1951-1954)
Series 7: Miscellaneous Governor Material (1943-1954)
Series 8: Post Governor Correspondence (1955-1971)
Series 9: Speeches (1935-1966)
Series 10: Personal Papers and Material
Series 11: Calendars and Photographs
Series 12: Memorabilia and Other Items
Series 13: Addition to the papers of items received in 1979
2015 Accrual:
Box 35
Folder 8. Letter from Thomas Dewey to Walter Snider of New Orleans, Louisiana, May 22, 1941.
Provenance: This letter was the gift of Katherine Ornett Ohman.
Series 14: Dewey Ephemera.
Subject(s):
New York (State)
Presidents--Election
Politics and government
Political campaigns
Correspondence
Speeches
Albums (Books)
Photographs
Sound recordings
Motion pictures
Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Brownell, Herbert, 1904-1996
Dulles, John Foster, 1888-1959
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969
Straus, Roger W. (Roger Williams), 1917-2004
Vanderbilt, Arthur T., 1888-1957
Dewey, Frances, 1903-
Dewey, Annie
Politicians
Governors
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Thomas E. Dewey and his estate since 1955.Access
The Thomas E. Dewey papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Thomas E. Dewey papers, D.58.Legacy, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of RochesterRelated Materials
Database: Dewey Papers Register .
The text of the Herlands Report and appendices can be accessed online. Please note that the scrapbooks (Series 3) have been microfilmed for preservation reasons; the reels are available in the Library Annex under call number FILM .D519.
An article about the collection that appeared in the University of Rochester Library Bulletin (Spring 1955) is available online.
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:
Content List
Creator: Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Call Number: D.58.Legacy
Dates: 1925-1979
Physical Description: 1272 boxes, 283 scrapbooks, 252 transfer box, 199 items
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Table of Contents:
Biographical/Historical Note
Arrangement
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Related Materials
Content List
Series I: Early career, 1925-1942
Pre-District Attorney (boxes 1-3)
Private Law Cases (boxes 4-11)
District Attorney Personal Correspondence (boxes 12-61)
District Attorney General Correspondence (boxes 62-76)
District Attorney Un-Answered Letters (boxes 77-81)
Harold Keller Correspondence (boxes 82-86)
Congratulatories, 1934-35 (box 87)
Statements, 1934-35 (box 88)
District Attorney Law Materials (boxes 89-94)
District Attorney Office Material (boxes 95-96)
Series II: Campaigns, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964
1937 District Attorney and 1938 Gubernatorial (box 1)
1940 Presidential (boxes 2-5)
1942 Gubernatorial (boxes 6-9)
1942 Gubernatorial Correspondence (boxes 10-14)
1944 Presidential (box 15)
1946 Gubernatorial (box 16)
1948 Presidential, Oregon Primary (boxes 17-20)
1948 Presidential, State File (boxes 21-33)
1948 Presidential, Republican National Committee, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 34-37)
1948 Presidential, Topical File (boxes 38-50)
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Incoming Correspondence (boxes 51-104)
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 105-116)
Presidential Campaign (boxes 117-119)
1950 Gubernatorial, 1960 and 1964 Presidential (box 120)
Series III: Scrapbooks of newspaper articles, 1933-1957
Series IV: First term governor, 1943-1946
Personal Correspondence (204 boxes)
General Correspondence (68 boxes)
Series V: Second term governor, 1947-1950
Personal Correspondence (210 boxes)
General Correspondence (98 boxes)
Series VI: Third term governor, 1951-1954
Personal Correspondence (144 boxes)
General Correspondence (84 boxes)
Series VII: Miscellaneous governor material
Major Legislation (boxes 1-10)
General Legislation by Subject (boxes 11-23)
General Legislation by Department (boxes 24-44)
Commissions and Authorities (boxes 45-48)
Board of Review of Veterans Affairs (boxes 49-52)
Appointments, 1943-54 (boxes 53-113)
Labor Department (boxes 114-110)
Executive Clemency Cases (box 119)
Series VIII: Post governor correspondence, 1955-1971
Early Personal (13 boxes)
Late Personal (17 boxes)
Early General (50 boxes)
Late General (6 boxes)
Series IX: Speeches, 1935-1966
Speeches by Dewey (boxes 1-34)
Speeches by Others (boxes 35-37)
Statements (boxes 38-40)
Campaign Speech Material (boxes 41-44)
Series X: Personal
Dewey Correspondence (boxes 1-47)
Mrs. Dewey Correspondence (boxes 48-80)
Hutt Correspondence (boxes 81-82)
Mrs. Annie T. Dewey (box 83)
Personal Papers, Dewey (boxes 84-88)
Personal Papers, Mrs. Dewey (boxes 89-90)
Finances (boxes 91-102)
Pawling Farm (boxes 103-112)
Organizations (boxes 113-115)
Articles (boxes 116-117)
Hughes Biography (boxes 118-123)
Far Pacific (boxes 124-136)
Bills (boxes 137-160)
Series XI: Calendars and photographs
Engagement Calendars (4 boxes)
Photographs (13 boxes, 14 scrapbooks)
Series XII: Memorabilia
Series XIII: Addition to Thomas E. Dewey papers
Background notes and drafts for autobiography (boxes 1-8)
Biographies by others (boxes 9-10)
Herlands Investigation of Organized Crime, 1954 and Kefauver Committee Hearings, 1950-1951 (boxes 11-17)
Death of Frances (Huts) Dewey (boxes 18-22)
Death of Thomas E. Dewey (boxes 23-28)
R. Burdell Bixby Files (boxes 29-35)
Series XIV: Dewey ephemera
Collection Overview
Title: Thomas E. Dewey papers
Creator: Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Call Number: D.58.Legacy
Dates: 1925-1979
Physical Description: 1272 boxes, 283 scrapbooks, 252 transfer box, 199 items
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Biographical/Historical Note
CHRONOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY
March 24, 1902: Born in Owosso, Michigan
1919-23: Attended University of Michigan, Graduated A. B.
1923-25: Attended Columbia University Law School, Graduated LL. B.
1925-27: Associate of Larkin, Rathbone and Perry law firm
1926: Admitted to Bar of New York
1927-31: Associate of MacNamara and Seymour law firm
1931-33: Chief Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
1933: United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
1934-35: Private law practice
1934: Counsel to Association of the Bar of New York
1935-37: Special Prosecutor, Investigation of organized crime
1938-43: District Attorney of New York County
1938: Republican Candidate for Governor of New York State
1943-1955: Governor of New York State
1944, 1948: Republican Candidate for President of the United States; Defeated by Roosevelt in 1944 and Truman in 1948
1955-1971: Member of Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer and Wood law firm
March 16, 1971: Died.
Arrangement
The Thomas E. Dewey Papers at the University of Rochester Library have been organized in fourteen major series with each series containing several related files. A summary index of the series follows below.
Though a series may contain several different files, the box numbering within each series is consecutive. Further, each box contains numbered folders. Thus, a folder may be identified by a series number, box number and folder number, or by a series name, file name and folder label (numbered identification is preferred over name identification).
SERIES INDEX
Series 1: Early Career (1925-1942)
Series 2: Campaigns (1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964)
Series 3: Scrapbooks of Newspaper Clippings (1933-1957)
Series 4: First Term Governor Correspondence (1943-1946)
Series 5: Second Term Governor Correspondence (1947-1950)
Series 6: Third Term Governor Correspondence (1951-1954)
Series 7: Miscellaneous Governor Material (1943-1954)
Series 8: Post Governor Correspondence (1955-1971)
Series 9: Speeches (1935-1966)
Series 10: Personal Papers and Material
Series 11: Calendars and Photographs
Series 12: Memorabilia and Other Items
Series 13: Addition to the papers of items received in 1979
2015 Accrual:
Box 35
Folder 8. Letter from Thomas Dewey to Walter Snider of New Orleans, Louisiana, May 22, 1941.
Provenance: This letter was the gift of Katherine Ornett Ohman.
Series 14: Dewey Ephemera.
Subject(s):
New York (State)
Presidents--Election
Politics and government
Political campaigns
Correspondence
Speeches
Albums (Books)
Photographs
Sound recordings
Motion pictures
Dewey, Thomas E. (Thomas Edmund), 1902-1971
Brownell, Herbert, 1904-1996
Dulles, John Foster, 1888-1959
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969
Straus, Roger W. (Roger Williams), 1917-2004
Vanderbilt, Arthur T., 1888-1957
Dewey, Frances, 1903-
Dewey, Annie
Politicians
Governors
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Thomas E. Dewey and his estate since 1955.Access
The Thomas E. Dewey papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.Use
Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.eduCitation
[Item title, item date], Thomas E. Dewey papers, D.58.Legacy, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of RochesterRelated Materials
Database: Dewey Papers Register .
The text of the Herlands Report and appendices can be accessed online. Please note that the scrapbooks (Series 3) have been microfilmed for preservation reasons; the reels are available in the Library Annex under call number FILM .D519.
An article about the collection that appeared in the University of Rochester Library Bulletin (Spring 1955) is available online.
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Address:
Rush Rhees Library
Second Floor, Room 225
Rochester, NY 14627-0055
rarebks@library.rochester.edu
URL:
Content List
Series I: Early career, 1925-1942
96 boxes
Pre-District Attorney (boxes 1-3)
Dewey's correspondence between 1925 and 1937 is divided into two categories, personal and general. "Personal" refers to letters to and from family and friends, and reports and records dealing with Dewey's finances. "General" contains mainly letters regarding Dewey's activities in the Republican Party, with some correspondence on official positions, appointments, and recommendations. The folders are arranged in chronological order, where possible. One folder with material on the District Attorney budget from 1930 to 1937, before Dewey entered that office, is also located in this section.
Private Law Cases (boxes 4-11)
All the existing private law cases, 1925-1937, that Dewey handled and some of the more important cases during his term as District Attorney, 1938-1942, are listed in alphabetical order according to the name of the case. A few of the major cases included are Eurydice Gold Mining Company v. Securities and Exchange Commission, Albert J. Weber, and Irving Wexler (alias Waxey Gordon).
District Attorney Personal Correspondence (boxes 12-61)
Correspondence of Dewey during his term as District Attorney, 1938-1942, with friends and family is contained is this section and is listed in alphabetical order. Some of the subjects represented in the correspondence are invitations, support in campaigns, and support or recommendations for Dewey's position on many local, state, national, or international topics. In the register listing, the folders that do not contain correspondence with a with specific person or group are listed along the left margin, with folders of letters of specific persons or groups indented several spaces.
District Attorney General Correspondence (boxes 62-76)
This file contains correspondence from the general public and is filed in alphabetical order by the name of the correspondent. Most of the letters and carbons of replies fall into four general subject areas: requests for autographs, photographs or speeches; support of policies or actions; editorials from newspapers in support of Dewey; extended letters presenting viewpoints of individuals or groups on certain issues. Most replies are signed by Harold Keller as Secretary to the District Attorney, with only a few by Dewey or other members of the staff, (Lamoyne A. Jones, Arthur A. Ballantine, and Lilian G. Rosse).
District Attorney Un-Answered Letters (boxes 77-81)
The title of "Un-Answered" has been imposed on this file, dating from 1938 to 1942, because it represents about ninety-five per cent of the correspondence found in the file. A very small number of answered letters do appear, but were not transferred to another section in order not to disturb the original file from Dewey's office. The letters are filed in alphabetical order in inclusive folders.
Harold Keller Correspondence (boxes 82-86)
This section contains routine letters answered by Harold Keller, but separate from the previous file for office purposes. Dewey's absences at different times from the office, his work load, or case preparation are the major reasons given for Dewey not answering personally. The original letters received by the office do not appear, only the carbons of replies sent by Keller. The replies answer, for the most part, letters that seem to have concerned support for Dewey and his office in various investigations in New York County.
Congratulatories, 1934-35 (box 87)
Letters of congratulations are arranged in alphabetical order in this section for Dewey's appointment as Special Prosecutor and his activities in that office.
Statements, 1934-35 (box 88)
This section consists of public statements made by Dewey during the campaign and while in office as District Attorney. They are arranged in approximate alphabetical order.
District Attorney Law Materials (boxes 89-94)
Briefs, trial notes, transcripts of hearings and trials while Dewey was District Attorney are arranged in approximate alphabetical order. Also, some materials related to Dewey's activity in several bar associations.
District Attorney Office Material (boxes 95-96)
Included in this section are references, biographies, applications, bills, documents and other material related to the administrative function of the District Attorney's office. Also, some material on Dewey's "The Case Against the New Deal" (1940) and "An American of this Century" (1944) by Stanley Walker is included.
Return to Series Index
Series II: Campaigns, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1960, 1964
117 boxes
1937 District Attorney and 1938 Gubernatorial (box 1)
This box contains several folders of reports and background information used in Dewey's campaign for District Attorney in New York. Also, one folder contains material from his unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1938 against incumbent, Herbert Lehman.
1940 Presidential (boxes 2-5)
Thomas Dewey, then District Attorney for New York County, was a serious contender for the Republican nomination for president in 1940. These four boxes contain campaign material, itineraries, reports, polls, and press releases and reports prior to the Republican Convention, when Wendell WiIkie won the nomination.
1942 Gubernatorial (boxes 6-9)
These four boxes contain campaign material, itineraries, statements, biographies and research reports for the Dewey's successful campaign for the Governorship in 1942.
1942 Gubernatorial Correspondence (boxes 10-14)
This is an alphabetical file of correspondence received and carbon copies of replies concerning issues, endorsements, invitations, and other related matters dealing with the 1942 election.
1944 Presidential (box 15)
Thomas Dewey ran an unsuccessful campaign against Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Presidency in 1944, and this box contains material related to that campaign, including election returns, Democratic literature, and lists of campaign workers. See also Series 2, Box 119.
1946 Gubernatorial (box 16)
Dewey's campaign for reelection to the Governorship was for the most part unopposed and thus little material was generated in the campaign. This box contains primarily finance committee releases, radio speeches during the campaign, and reports of campaign contributions.
1948 Presidential, Oregon Primary (boxes 17-20)
These four boxes are a separate file from the large amount of material from the 1948 campaign that deals specifically with the Oregon primary election. They include campaign material, literature, itineraries, news releases used in the primary campaign. Also, there are several folders of correspondence, in alphabetical order, that deal specifically with the Oregon primary and the issues involved in that campaign. Many of the letters also deal with requests, congratulations, and name gathering of supportive community leaders in Oregon.
1948 Presidential, State File (boxes 21-33)
A file on each state and large territory was maintained during the 1948 campaign and is filed in these boxes. Each state has three folders which regularly contain the following information: pink label--correspondence after July, 1948 from that state; yellow label--correspondence before July, 1948 from that state; gold label--list of delegates and correspondence regarding delegates. Exceptions, such as missing folders or a different break downs in the folders, are noted with special notes in the register.
1948 Presidential, Republican National Committee, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 34-37)
These boxes contain carbons of correspondence sent by the Republican National Committee with respect to the Dewey campaign. The carbons are arranged alphabetically by name, with no chronological order at all, and also include cross references to outgoing correspondence from Dewey Headquarters (a later subsection) by name and state. A few of the many subjects included in the carbons are: Republican platform, itineraries of speeches, appreciation to campaign and committee workers, information on party leaders in different states, and party financial concerns. There are many more topics included; almost every letter deals with a unique situation of the campaign.
1948 Presidential, Topical File (boxes 38-50)
Correspondence and reports dealing specifically with topics of the campaign have been separately filed alphabetically in these boxes. The topics include prominent people, events, positions, groups, reports and other general campaign concerns.
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Incoming Correspondence (boxes 51-104)
These boxes contain letters and telegrams received by Governor Dewey's campaign headquarters and primarily deal with campaign issues, the conduct of Dewey's campaign, and requests for information. These are only letters received by Dewey's office and are in alphabetical order. The carbon copies of the replies are tiled in the next subsection. A code appears on most of the letters which might indicate the type of answer to be sent.
1948 Presidential, Dewey Headquarters, Outgoing Correspondence (boxes 105-116)
All answers to inquiries into Dewey's position on issues, his conduct during the campaign, and requests for information are filed in these boxes by the state from which the letter was written. Within each state or territory, the answers are filed alphabetically by the name of the writer, with some states also divided into three or four chronological time periods.
Presidential Campaign (boxes 117-119)
These boxes contain mimeographed and carbon copies of statements made by Dewey or about him during the 1948 Presidential campaign. A record of radio announcements and addresses concerning the 1944 Presidential campaign is included in the third box.
1950 Gubernatorial, 1960 and 1964 Presidential (box 120)
Several letters, articles and bills are contained in the two folders of the 1950 and 1960 campaigns. Three binders of delegate information for the 1964 Republican convention are also included in this box.
Return to Series Index
Series III: Scrapbooks of newspaper articles, 1933-1957
2 transfer box
Note: These scrapbooks have been microfilmed for preservation reasons. They are available in the Library Annex, call number FILM .D519.
Early News, December 11, 1939 -- December 31, 1940 (4 volumes)
Early Features, December 11, 1939 -- May 29, 1940 (3 volumes)
Editorials, September 28, 1938 -- December 31, 1940 (13 volumes)
News, November 20, 1933 -- June 11, 1957 (153 volumes)
Political, December 13, 1943 -- December 31, 1954 (82 volumes)
Out of New York State, December 3, 1942 -- October 27, 1953 (11 volumes)
Miscellaneous, September 1, 1933 -- December 31, 1957 (3 volumes, 2 boxes)
Scrapbooks
This collection of original newspaper articles about Thomas E. Dewey is arbitrarily divided into several sections of articles. The difference between volumes of similar material and overlapping time periods can only be explained by the possibility of more than one collector. The articles are well documented, with newspaper name and date of publication of the particular article. Due to the age and fragility of the scrapbooks, researchers are requested to use the microfilmed copies in the Government Documents and Microtext Center of Rush Rhees Library. The call number for the microfilmed scrapbooks is FILM.D519.
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Series IV: First term governor, 1943-1946
68 transfer box
Personal Correspondence (204 boxes)
General Correspondence (68 boxes)
First Term Governor Correspondence
For example, only one letter from a person named Robert Fisher would appear in the general folder (left margin) labeled "Fis" or "Fish" or "Fisher" (depending on which one was listed). But if a large number of letters were sent by Fisher, then there would be a specific folder (indented two spaces) with "Fisher, Robert" as the label. It would follow whichever of the above general folders appeared in the listing.
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Series V: Second term governor, 1947-1950
98 transfer box
Personal Correspondence (210 boxes)
General Correspondence (98 boxes)
Second Term Governor Correspondence
The two subdivisions of the second term of Governor Dewey are the same as the first term, personal and general. Also, the register listing, with general folders along the left margin and specific folders indented, and the material contained in this series is the same as in the first term correspondence.
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Series VI: Third term governor, 1951-1954
84 transfer box
Personal Correspondence (144 boxes)
General Correspondence (84 boxes)
Third Term Governor Correspondence
The correspondence from the third term of Thomas Dewey as Governor of New York State also is divided into personal and general files, with specific folder labels indented from the general folder labels and similar material filed in alphabetical order. The three series' of gubernatorial correspondence are all treated the same way: similar listing, divisions, and subjects.
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Series VII: Miscellaneous governor material
119 boxes
Major Legislation (boxes 1-10)
This first section contains, in alphabetical order, the more important legislation passed and enacted between 1943 and 1954 by the State of New York. The folders contain some correspondence concerning the bills or laws, copies of the legislation itself, research reports and background information in the subject area, and executive agency opinions and reports on the legislation.
General Legislation by Subject (boxes 11-23)
These boxes contain the minor bills considered and laws enacted during Dewey's three terms as governor. Pertinent correspondence, copies of the legislation, relevant reports or surveys, general information, memos, and executive agency reports are included. The file is organized in alphabetical order by subject.
General Legislation by Department (boxes 24-44)
This section is the same as the "General Legislation by Subject", above, except that the material is filed by department rather than subject.
Commissions and Authorities (boxes 45-48)
This section contains reports, recommendations, applications, and other material prepared for the Governor's office by various state and regional commissions and authorities. The folders are filed alphabetically by the name of the commission or authority.
Board of Review of Veterans Affairs (boxes 49-52)
These boxes contain material prepared by this special review board and is filed in alphabetical order. The last box contains reports and evaluations of counselor interviews conducted throughout the state concerning veteran affairs.
Appointments, 1943-54 (boxes 53-113)
This large group of folders contains background information, recommendations, and applications pertaining to the many appointments the Governor Dewey made while in office. They are listed, first in alphabetical order by the name of the office or department, and then each departments list of names is in alphabetical order.
Labor Department (boxes 114-110)
These boxes contain similar material to the sections above but are only concerned with the Labor Department and all of its subdivisions. The folders are arranged in alphabetical order.
Executive Clemency Cases (box 119)
This box contains reports of capital cases that were brought before Governor Dewey for Executive Clemency appeals. The report of the case, transcript of the trial, and background information on the individuals is included. The four binders are in chronological order.
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Series VIII: Post governor correspondence, 1955-1971
86 boxes
Early Personal (13 boxes)
Late Personal (17 boxes)
Early General (50 boxes)
Late General (6 boxes)
Post Governor Correspondence
The term general in this series pertains to letters from people unknown to Dewey, sent from all over the country. For the most part, the letters make requests, express opinions, or comment on contemporary political issues, especially with regard to the Republican party. These letters, and carbon copies of answers, are completely filed in general, inclusive folders.
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Series IX: Speeches, 1935-1966
44 boxes
Speeches by Dewey (boxes 1-34)
These boxes usually contain typescript, reading copies, and/or press releases of speeches made by Thomas Dewey during his life as a public figure, in office and in private life. Each folder label contains the date of the speech, and may contain the place, the subject, or the audience of the speech. Speeches broadcast over radio and television are also included and noted. The subject matter varies greatly with the topics usually being issues of interest at the time the speech was made.
Speeches by Others (boxes 35-37)
This collection of speeches is in chronological order and includes the date and the person who made the speech, and in some instances, the place and the subject. Again, typescript copies are included. The speeches themselves were given by public figures for, with a few against, Tom Dewey and his position on issues at that time.
Statements (boxes 38-40)
These boxes contain a chronological collection of press releases and public statements made by Dewey through the governor's office. They deal with events of the day, campaign or legislative issues, or general announcements of the office.
Campaign Speech Material (boxes 41-44)
This is a collection of information and material acquired through research on a wide variety of subjects, primarily campaign issues. The topics are listed in alphabetical order for the years: 1937, 1940, 1942. One folder contains material from surveys in 1941.
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Series X: Personal
160 boxes
This series includes several unrelated groups of material dealing with various aspects of Dewey's personal life.
Dewey Correspondence (boxes 1-47)
Personal correspondence with Dewey at his residence is filed in alphabetical order in forty-seven boxes and covers his entire adult life (1930-1971), with the bulk of material dated during his terms in public office. The letters and telegrams are primarily between Dewey and his closest political and social friends. Some of the more prominent names include Herbert Brownell, John Foster Dulles, Dwight Eisenhower, Roger Strauss, and Arthur Vanderbilt. Also, included are personal files dealing with organizations such as bar associations, meetings such as governor's conferences, and various lists and state committees and commissions.
Mrs. Dewey Correspondence (boxes 48-80)
The personal correspondence of Mrs. Thomas Dewey is divided into three sections -- before 1943, 1943-1955, after 1955. These thirty-three boxes include letters and telegrams received and carbons of replies sent by Mrs. Dewey concerning her life as the wife of a prominent political figure. The majority of material is invitations to various social events and parties, with some items related to the private life of the Dewey family and Mrs. Dewey's contacts around the country.
Hutt Correspondence (boxes 81-82)
Two boxes contain condolences and sympathy messages and answers upon the deaths of Mrs. Dewey's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orla T. Hutt.
Mrs. Annie T. Dewey (box 83)
A box of correspondence and financial material of Dewey's mother, Annie, Mrs. George M. Dewey, dates from 1936 to 1942. The correspondence is mainly between Dewey and his mother during his rise to prominence as District Attorney; but correspondence between his mother and other members of the Dewey family is also included. The financial material is mainly stock sheets and reports of her investments and income tax information.
Personal Papers, Dewey (boxes 84-88)
The personal papers of Dewey contain correspondence, documents, contracts, and miscellaneous papers on a variety of subjects in Dewey's personal life and are contained in five boxes in alphabetical order. A few of the topics include apartments, automobiles, insurance, clubs, etc. These deal mainly with Dewey's personal life after leaving public office.
Personal Papers, Mrs. Dewey (boxes 89-90)
These two boxes contain the personal papers of Mrs. Dewey, are arranged in alphabetical order in folders labeled with letters, and deal more with the Dewey household.
Finances (boxes 91-102)
Twelve boxes contain major financial reports of Dewey and his family's investments. Included are such items as: 1935-36 business ledgers; brokerage statements and correspondence from Shearson/Hammill for 1938-42, and 1954-1966; appraisals and correspondence from Brundage, Story and Rose for 1967-1970, statements of Dewey's mother's portfolio for 1938-1953; material covering oil ventures; and securities held by Dewey after 1955.
Pawling Farm (boxes 103-112)
Various correspondence and material dealing with Dewey's Dapplemere Farm at Pawling, New York is contained in these ten boxes. They are divided into three section--before 1943, 1943-1955, and after 1955--with each section in alphabetical order. Included is material dealing with the operation and maintenance of the farm, the personnel working the farm, and the local townspeople and Dewey's relations with them.
Organizations (boxes 113-115)
Three boxes contain correspondence and various reports, agendas, lists, summaries, etc. relating to the many organizations Dewey was involved with. This material is in alphabetical order and deals with Dewey's activity after 1955.
Articles (boxes 116-117)
Various magazine articles about Dewey and written by him are contained in two boxes and are filed in alphabetical order by title or subject or author. The bulk of them are from the late 1930's and early 1940's and deal with Dewey's various public positions and campaigns for office.
Hughes Biography (boxes 118-123)
Six boxes contain typewritten drafts, notes, some correspondence, and the final galley sheets of the biography "Thomas E. Dewey, Attorney for the People" by Rupert Hughes.
Far Pacific (boxes 124-136)
Thirteen boxes of material and correspondence deal with Dewey's two trips to the Pacific Ocean and far eastern countries, and the book he wrote about his travels. Correspondence is divided in to the 1951 trip, 1957 trip, and that on the trips, and is in alphabetical order. Dewey's journey books, transcripts of tape recordings made during the trips, and material on many of the of the places visited is included. Also, the rough drafts by chapter, final draft, and galley sheets are in the last three boxes.
Bills (boxes 137-160)
These boxes contain four groups of miscellaneous bills, receipts and other similar material. The groups include the bills of Dewey, Mrs. Dewey, the Executive Mansion, and the Pawling Farm. They are arranged in chronological order within each group by year.
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Series XI: Calendars and photographs
14 scrapbooks
Engagement Calendars (4 boxes)
Photographs (13 boxes, 14 scrapbooks)
The remaining thirteen boxes contain a file of photographs, mostly eight by ten inch black and white, of Dewey's public career and private life. The first box contains family portraits, the next ten and a half boxes are a chronological record of pictures dating from 1904 until 1957; and the last one and a half boxes are arranged alphabetically and cover subjects such as ceremonies, organizations, dinners, speeches, various people, and a parade in Owosso, Michigan.
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Series XII: Memorabilia
199 items
Phonograph Records (141 Items)
Tape Recordings (19 Items)
Films (38 Items)
DVD (1 item)
There is one DVD,
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Series XIII: Addition to Thomas E. Dewey papers
This series consists of material received in 1979. Whenever possible, files were returned to the series of which they originally formed a part. The rest is divided into 6 unrelated groups.
35 boxes
Background notes and drafts for autobiography (boxes 1-8)
This section contains correspondence about the production of T.E. Dewey's autobiography, background files, outlines created by a research assistant, Tanya Melich, research interviews conducted by Harlan Phillips, and successive drafts by Dewey of the first four chapters of the autobiography. The book was never completed, and was edited by Rodney Campbell and published in 1974 as Twenty Against The Underworld.
Biographies by others (boxes 9-10)
This section also contains the senior honors thesis written by Richard N. Smith while a student at Harvard, "Thomas E. Dewey and the evolution of modern Republicanism," and a journalist's article on writing about Dewey, possibly published in the mid 1940's.
Herlands Investigation of Organized Crime, 1954 and Kefauver Committee Hearings, 1950-1951 (boxes 11-17)
Williams Herlands, Dewey's director of investigations for the State of New York was instructed in 1954 to establish the facts regarding the pardon of Lucky Luciano for services to U.S. Naval Intelligence during World War II. This section contains transcripts of testimony by witnesses, background files on Luciano, photostats of material from the Kefauver Committee Hearings on Organized Crime, and the text of the Herlands Report and appendices .
Death of Frances (Huts) Dewey (boxes 18-22)
This section contains files, newspaper clippings and letters of condolence after the death from cancer of Mrs. Dewey, July 21, 1970.
Death of Thomas E. Dewey (boxes 23-28)
This section contains files, newspaper clippings, official resolutions and letters of condolence after the death of Thomas E. Dewey, March 16, 1971.
R. Burdell Bixby Files (boxes 29-35)
This section contains files maintained by Burdell Bixby, Dewey's secretary and political associate relating to political activities of Dewey from 1955 to 1964. Boxes 29-30 contain speeches which may be duplicated in Series 10. Boxes 31-35 are correspondence files.
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Series XIV: Dewey ephemera
This series contains Dewey memorabilia and some of Dewey's personal belongings. Included are his various educational degrees (including honorary degrees), numerous awards, various magazines with articles by and about Dewey, programs for various functions, commemorative medals and badges, campaign buttons, plaques given to Dewey and other items given or awarded to Dewey. This series also has many items given jointly to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dewey. The series is loosely organized by category of ephemera (awards, degrees, etc.), but items may be stored out of proper sequence in order to better preserve individual items.
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