Winston Churchill Commencement materials
Creator: Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965
Call Number: UA77
Dates: 1941-2010
Physical Description: 0.23 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: University of Rochester Archives

Table of Contents:

Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Access
Use
Citation
Related Materials
Content List
Box 1 Audiocassette recordings of Churchill's speech (6)
Box 1 Correspondence, 1941, 1965
Box 1 Miscellaneous, 1941
Box 1 Post-2000 articles about the Churchill speech, 2001-2006
Box 1 Press photographs and postcards, 1941
Box 1 Press clippings, 1941
Box 1 Speech transcripts
Box 1 University of Rochester materials used in publication of The Churchill Papers by Gale International, Ltd., 2010
Box 1 Charcoal sketch of Winston Churchill in academic cap
Collection Overview
Title: Winston Churchill Commencement materials
Creator: Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965
Call Number: UA77
Dates: 1941-2010
Physical Description: 0.23 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: University of Rochester Archives

Biographical/Historical Note
The University of Rochester commencement of 1941, held June 16 in the Eastman Theatre, has been called "the last really 'normal' affair for six years." World War II was already well underway and the entry of the United States seemed increasingly imminent. Under a tense international climate, the University of Rochester selected British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the recipient of an honorary doctorate of laws for "his distinction as a historian . . . his position as an elected leader of a great and friendly democracy . . . [and] the courage, candor and effectiveness with which he is leading his nation."

Churchill accepted the degree via a live wireless trans-Atlantic radio address. His ten-minute speech appealed to Anglo-American unity, invoking his family connections to Rochester and Central New York. (His maternal grandfather was born near Syracuse, practiced law in Rochester, and married Churchill's grandmother in Palmyra. It was also believed at the time that Churchill's mother had been born in Rochester.) Though he enunciated the dangers facing the free world, his message was still one of hope and solemn resolve. "United we stand. Divided we fall. Divided the dark ages return. United we can save and guide the world," Churchill declared. The ensuing applause ran for almost as long as the speech itself.

The degree was received at the ceremony on Churchill's behalf by Noel Hall, British minister to Washington. Also awarded an honorary degree at the 1941 commencement was George Washington Carver, the distinguished scientist at the Tuskegee Institute. As he was unable to attend due to illness, President Valentine flew to Alabama and presented him the diploma personally.

Scope and Content
The Winston Churchill Commencement Materials contains letters, telegrams, memoranda, clippings, and other items relating to Churchill's speech and honorary degree. Correspondents include Winston Churchill, Fred Hovde, and Alan Valentine. A collection of additional photographs and postcards was received from the Minneapolis Collection at the Minneapolis Public Library in March 2004.

Subject(s):
Commencement ceremonies
Telegrams
Photographs
Postcards
Drawings
Correspondence
Newspaper clippings
Hovde, Fred
Valentine, Alan Chester, 1901-
Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965
Access
For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit.

Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.

Use
To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.



Citation
[Item title, item date], Winston Churchill Commencement materials, UA77, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of RochesterRelated Materials
Listen to Churchill's 1941 transatlantic Commencement acceptance speech.

A University of Rochester Library Bulletin article on the speech can be read here .


Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: University of Rochester Archives
Address: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd.
Rochester, New York 14627-0055
archives@library.rochester.edu


Content List