Lawyer and philanthropist of Peekskill, N.Y. Personal, business, political, and philanthropic correspondence (chiefly 1925-1938), relating to Pugsley's political work for the Democratic Party, his philanthropic activities, his efforts to promote better understanding and knowledge of international affairs, U.S. and New York politics (1910-1938), and U.S. economic conditions (1920s and 1930s). Correspondents include Roscoe Pound and William Howard Taft.

Correspondence, legal papers, press releases, printed material and other miscellaneous papers of Chester DeWitt Pugsley spanning the years 1873-1938, with the majority of the material dating from 1925-1938. Extensive personal, business, political, and philanthropic correspondence (chiefly 1925-1938), relates to Pugsley's political work for the Democratic Party; his philanthropic activities; his efforts to promote better understanding and knowledge of international affairs; his involvement in U.S. and New York politics (1910-1938); and U.S. economic conditions during the 1920s and 1930s, including information on banking. Correspondents include Roscoe Pound and William Howard Taft. Legal papers consist chiefly of typed copies of wills, affidavits, deeds, and trusts relating to Pugsley, the Westchester County National Bank, and various institutional recipients of Pugsley's philanthropy. There are numerous press releases and clippings from news bureaus concerning Pugsley's views on foreign and domestic affairs, his benefactions, institutes and conferences held, and the activities of the American Scenic and Historical Preservation Society. Printed material includes programs of college and university commencements and institutes; notices of stockholders'meetings; advertising circulars; notices of Harvard University class reunions; and papers dealing with national and New York politics in 1916. There are also resolutions relating to world organizations, the Westchester County National Bank, the Church Conference on Social Work, and the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia; and scattered minutes of the Peekskill Field Committee, Rollins College, and the League to Enforce Peace. Miscellaneous papers include speeches on domestic and foreign tdpics given by Pugsley.

Arranged in the following series: Correspondence, Legal Papers, Miscellany, and Printed Material. For a more complete description see Davis and Miller, "Guide to the Cataloged Collections in the Manuscript Department of the William R. Perkins Library, Duke University" (1980).