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Series IV: Diaries, 1909-1936

2 boxes
Collection Creator:
Wright, J. Butler (Joshua Butler) (1877-1939)
Dates:
1909-1936
Extent:
2 boxes
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

Series IV: Diaries (1909-1936) includes sixteen diaries. The diaries reflect topographic descriptions as well as ethnic and cultural mores of Latin and South American countries visited during Joshua Butler Wright's foreign service career. Anti-American sentiments, declarations of martial law, and rumors of revolution are all documented together with routine encounters at various embassies.

Most notable is the description of activities in St. Petersburg during the early months of the Russian Revolution with a recording of conversations (although not fully described) with various diplomats concerning the internal affairs of the Russian state. The diaries also describe reactions to Woodrow Wilson's peace overtures, the British blockade of Germany, rumors of German atrocities, Russian-German alliances and peace proposals are also recorded. Plots and the final death of Rasputin are noted as well as international intrigue and espionage recorded with rumors of a hastening of a civil war in Russia.

As Secretary to the American Legation in Brussels from 1912-1913, Joshua Butler Wright noted the confusion and difficulties of foreign service confirmations during the Taft-Wilson transition and the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson as President of the United States. Wright describes the Belgian fear of invasion, their proposals to increase the Army of defense, and numerous general strikes by the Socialists. During the 2nd International Opium Conference in the Hague, Wright served as French translator and noted his annoyance at the numerous mistakes in the printed translations of the conference. He, however, considered this position an invaluable experience on the organizational complexities of an international Conference.

Wright chronicled trips to the interior of Hungary in 1927 in a ten-page entry entitled "Impressions of Hungarians" which defines the food and culture of the country and the fact that the Carnegie Endowment on December 7, 1927 donated 1200 volumes of books to the Budapest Library.

In 1931 repeated anti-Americanism was expressed in Uruguay due to financial difficulties involving international loan payments and failure of the League of Nations.

On January 17-18th, 1936, Joshua Butler Wright recorded radio broadcasts from Prague, Czechoslovakia and discussed the Berlin-Sudetan question. On December 19, 1936, he mentions an interview with the President of Czechoslovakia Eduard Benes. A memoranda mentioned in the diary did not arrive with the papers although researchers should review the State Department document entitled "The Czechoslovak Crisis" located in Box 1.

The Joshua Butler Wright Papers do not contain diaries for the following years: 1919-1926, 1929-1930, 1933-1935, 1937-1939.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Credit this material:

Series IV: Diaries; Joshua Butler Wright Papers, MC137, Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd): Box 2-3
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jean Holliday in 1992. Finding aid written by Jean Holliday in 1992.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Series IV: Diaries (1909-1936) includes sixteen diaries. The diaries reflect topographic descriptions as well as ethnic and cultural mores of Latin and South American countries visited during Joshua Butler Wright's foreign service career. Anti-American sentiments, declarations of martial law, and rumors of revolution are all documented together with routine encounters at various embassies.

Most notable is the description of activities in St. Petersburg during the early months of the Russian Revolution with a recording of conversations (although not fully described) with various diplomats concerning the internal affairs of the Russian state. The diaries also describe reactions to Woodrow Wilson's peace overtures, the British blockade of Germany, rumors of German atrocities, Russian-German alliances and peace proposals are also recorded. Plots and the final death of Rasputin are noted as well as international intrigue and espionage recorded with rumors of a hastening of a civil war in Russia.

As Secretary to the American Legation in Brussels from 1912-1913, Joshua Butler Wright noted the confusion and difficulties of foreign service confirmations during the Taft-Wilson transition and the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson as President of the United States. Wright describes the Belgian fear of invasion, their proposals to increase the Army of defense, and numerous general strikes by the Socialists. During the 2nd International Opium Conference in the Hague, Wright served as French translator and noted his annoyance at the numerous mistakes in the printed translations of the conference. He, however, considered this position an invaluable experience on the organizational complexities of an international Conference.

Wright chronicled trips to the interior of Hungary in 1927 in a ten-page entry entitled "Impressions of Hungarians" which defines the food and culture of the country and the fact that the Carnegie Endowment on December 7, 1927 donated 1200 volumes of books to the Budapest Library.

In 1931 repeated anti-Americanism was expressed in Uruguay due to financial difficulties involving international loan payments and failure of the League of Nations.

On January 17-18th, 1936, Joshua Butler Wright recorded radio broadcasts from Prague, Czechoslovakia and discussed the Berlin-Sudetan question. On December 19, 1936, he mentions an interview with the President of Czechoslovakia Eduard Benes. A memoranda mentioned in the diary did not arrive with the papers although researchers should review the State Department document entitled "The Czechoslovak Crisis" located in Box 1.

The Joshua Butler Wright Papers do not contain diaries for the following years: 1919-1926, 1929-1930, 1933-1935, 1937-1939.

Arrangement

The diaries in this series are arranged in chronological order.

Collection History

Appraisal

There is no information about appraisal for this collection.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jean Holliday in 1992. Finding aid written by Jean Holliday in 1992.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Series IV: Diaries; Joshua Butler Wright Papers, MC137, Public Policy Papers, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
(609) 258-6345
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Storage Note:
  • Mudd Manuscript Library (mudd): Box 2-3