Friends of Democracy records, 1937-1950 and undated

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Collection is open for research.
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Summary

Creator:
Friends of Democracy (U.S.)
Abstract:
Collection of research files and materials kept by the Friends of Democracy while they monitored various fascist and communist propaganda organizations and figures during World War II and immediately following the war.
Extent:
2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Language:
Materials in English
Research Center:
Human Rights Archive
Collection ID:
RL.11263

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes meeting notes, radio transcripts, speech transcripts, and reports created by Friends of Democracy as it monitored various fascist- and communist-sympathizers, as well as materials, literature, newsletters, and correspondence collected by Friends of Democracy documenting the various activities, writings, and beliefs of those groups. Files are arranged alphabetically by name of the monitored group or person. Groups represented include American Nazi groups, anti-semitic propagandists, pro-Soviet or pro-Communist organizations, anti-Roosevelt organizations, isolationist groups or leaders, and other figures that the Friends of Democracy deemed threatening to American democracy or world peace. Figures monitored include Charles Lindbergh, Hamilton Fish, Elizabeth Dillings, Upton Close, William J. Grace, Gerald Winrod, and others.

Biographical / historical:

The Friends of Democracy organization was founded by Unitarian minister Leon Milton Birkhead in 1937. The group described itself as "a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit, anti-totalitarian propaganda agency." In 1939 their offices were moved to New York City, an early branch of the group. John Dewey, Thomas Mann, Van Wyck Brooks, and Will Durant were all prominent members.

A biography of L.M. Birkhead can be found here, courtesy of the Unitarian Universalist History & Heritage Society: http://uudb.org/articles/leonmiltonbirkhead.html

Acquisition information:
The Friends of Democracy Records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a transfer from Perkins Library in 2012.
Processing information:

Processed by Meghan Lyon, July 2016

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2016-0136, 2012-0141

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Friends of Democracy Records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1p33n