Summary
Overview
Fosdick, Raymond Blaine, 1883-
Raymond Blaine Fosdick Papers
11.75 linear feet, 26 archival boxes, 1 oversize box
This collection is stored at Mudd Manuscript Library and .
This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library. Microfilm of this collection is stored onsite at Firestone Library.
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Requests will be delivered to Public Policy Papers, MUDD Reading Room
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Abstract
The Papers of Raymond Blaine Fosdick (1883-1972) lawyer and writer, focus on his national and international contribution to public administration. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence relating to the political events occurring during World War I and writings on several humanitarian projects in France (1919-1920), China and Southeast Asia (1949-1950), and the Arctic Circle (1923-1931). The collection consists of copies and originals of newspaper and journal articles, books, correspondence, memorandum, photographs, and reports.
Description
Description
The majority of the collection consists of correspondence relating to the political events occurring during World War I. The collection also contains articles, books, memorandum, reports, and photographs.
Collection Creator
Biography
Raymond Blaine Fosdick was born in Buffalo, New York on June 9, 1883 to the parents of Frank and Amie (Weaver). Fosdick graduated from Princeton University in 1905. He continued his course of study at New York Law School where he obtained his LL.B. in 1908.
Fosdick's professional life was devoted to public service. From 1910 to 1913, Fosdick was appointed Commissioner of Accounts for the city of New York. He investigated city and county government in an effort to rid New York of corrupt politicians and corporations participating in illegal activities.
On January 1, 1913 he was retained by the Bureau of Social Hygiene, funded by John D. Rockefeller, Sr. to make a comprehensive study of all aspects of police administration and work in Europe. He spent 1913 in Europe and later wrote European Police Systems, published in February 1915. From 1915 to 1916, Fosdick was a member of the New York City Board of Education, an organization that concentrated on the development of educational facilities. Concurrently, Fosdick was a member of the General Board of Education and the International Education Board.
Upon the United States″ entry into World War I, Mr. Fosdick was released by the Bureau to take the Chairmanship of the Commission on Training Camp Activities of the Army and Navy Department. The goal of this department was to keep morale high among soldiers stationed at home and abroad. It sponsored activities that promoted health, athletics, and recreation in order to “conserve the vitality of the men”. Various rules and regulations were established by the Department that prohibited prostitution, gambling, and alcohol.
During part of this period he served also as a Special Representative of the War Department in France, and as a Civilian Aide to General Pershing during the Paris Peace Conference. In 1919 and 1920, Fosdick served as Under Secretary General for the League of Nations until it became clear that the United States was not going to ratify the League of Nations covenant. He returned to the Bureau of Social Hygiene and resumed his work on American police systems. In 1933 he served on the Liquor Study Committee and later wrote the book Toward Liquor Control, published in 1933.
From 1920 through 1936, Fosdick was a member of the Curtis, Fosdick, and Belknap law firm. He was elected president of the Rockefeller Foundation and assumed the position on July 1, 1936. Fosdick worked at the Rockefeller Foundation until his retirement in 1948. He died in Newtown, Connecticut on July 19, 1972.
Collection History
Acquisition
Raymond Fosdick donated his papers to Princeton University in 1966. Prior to the donation of his papers, Fosdick transferred some correspondence to their respective owners. Files relating to the Commissioner of Accounts are in the New York City Municipal Archives, files in reference to the Commission on Training Camp Activities for the War and Navy Department are in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and correspondence pertaining to the Rockefeller Foundation are at the Rockefeller Archive in North Tarrytown, New York.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Lawcedrea Walker in September 1992 to March 1993. Finding aid written by Lawcedrea Walker in September 1992 to March 1993.
Bibliography
Fosdick, Raymond B., Chronicle of a Generation: An Autobiography (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1958)
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Public Policy Papers. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Raymond Blaine Fosdick Papers; 1910-1971, Public Policy Papers, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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