Robert P. Stewart papers, 1945-2005 (bulk 1945-1946)

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Summary

Creator:
Stewart, Robert P., 1916-2005
Abstract:
Robert P. Stewart was a lawyer and Duke alumnus who served as a legal aide at the Nuremburg Trials. The Robert P. Stewart Papers consist of 26 letters written by Stewart while serving as a legal aide at the Nuremberg Trials from 1945 September-1946 October. The collection also includes clippings about Stewart's service.
Extent:
2.25 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11942

Background

Scope and content:

The Robert P. Stewart Papers consist of 26 letters written by Stewart while serving as a legal aide at the Nuremberg Trials from 1945 September-1946 October. The collection also includes clippings about Stewart's service. Most letters are written to Stewart's father, Plummer Stewart, with a few written to Stewart's sisters Beverly G. Moss (Mary Stewart) and C.C. Gabel (Sara Stewart). Letters mainly relate to Stewart's account of the Nuremberg Trials. They detail Parker's recollections of viewing evidence of the Nazi concentration camps, discussion of the defense of defendant Rudolf Hess, and updates on the timeline of proceedings. The letters also depict Stewart's life in Nuremberg, including his travels, interactions with fellow American officials such as Judge Francis Biddle and aide Herbert Wechsler, and recollections of a lunch with General Eisenhower. Also included are clippings which detail Stewart's 1945 posting to Nuremberg, his 1981 retirement from the Olin Corporation, as well as his 2005 obituary.

Biographical / historical:

Robert P. Stewart was a lawyer and Duke alumnus who served as a legal aide at the Nuremburg Trials. Stewart was born in Charlotte to Plummer and Annie Harrell Stewart. He earned his bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1937 and his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1940. Shortly after graduating law school, Stewart served as a law clerk to Judge John J. Parker of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He then served in the 30th Infantry Division during World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star with two clusters. After the war, Stewart served as legal aide for Judge Parker during the Nuremberg Trials in 1945 and 1946. During the Nuremberg Trials, 24 Nazi political and military leaders were indicted and tried with aggressive war, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. 19 were found guilty, and 12 were sentenced to death. The trial was conducted by judges and prosecutors from the U.S.S.R., the U.K., France, and the U.S., including Judge Parker. Later, Stewart lived in Asheville and worked as an attorney for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and the Olin Corporation. He was married to the former Helen O'Neal and had four children. Robert P. Stewart died on November 22, 2005, at the age of 89.

Acquisition information:
The Robert P. Stewart papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Elliot Mamet, September 2021

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2021-0082

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

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Subjects:
Nuremberg Trial of Major German War Criminals, Nuremberg, Germany, 1945-1946
Names:
Stewart, Robert P., 1916-2005
Parker, John Johnston, 1885-1958
Places:
Nuremberg (Germany)

Contents

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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 Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert P. Stewart papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.