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Edward Mandell House papers

 Collection
Call Number: MS 466

Scope and Contents

The materials in these papers relate to a period extending from 1885 to 1938 and reflect Colonel House's three major (and lifelong) professional interests: developments in Texas, Democratic Party politics, and foreign affairs. The papers are especially useful to students of the period 1912 to 1919, when Colonel House served as President Wilson's principal political adviser. Probably the richest part of the entire collection deals with Colonel House's experiences at the Paris Peace Conference of 1918-1919.

Series I, Correspondence, the most extensive part of the papers, covers the years 1894-1938. The series include the originals or copies of all personal as well as most official (or semi-official) communications preserved by Colonel House.*** The Correspondence files include letters to House from more than 6,000 individuals as well as copies of his replies to them. Of particular interest are the letters to and from Woodrow Wilson, Charles Seymour, foreign statesmen, and American ambassadors.

Series II, Diaries, contains typewritten transcripts of three separate documents prepared over a number of years under Colonel House's personal supervision. The diary provides a daily record of Colonel House's activities from 1912 to 1919, and less elaborate entries from 1920 to 1926. It was dictated almost daily to Frances Denton, House's private secretary, who accompanied him on all his trips abroad. The work is remarkable for its revelation of House’s frank and personal assessments of the personalities and projects of the era. The "Memories" and "Reminiscences" provide autobiographical account of House's life, supplementing the diary. Also included in the series are logbooks kept from October 31, 1918 to June 29, 1919, which provide evidence of the number of individuals who visited House private office.

Series III, Political Papers, is divided into three principal sections: Domestic and International Questions, 1911-1918; The Paris Peace Conference, 1918-1919; Domestic and International Questions, 1920-38. Of these, The Paris Peace Conference, 1918-1919, is by far the most extensive and second only to the Diary and certain segments of General Correspondence in overall interest and historical value.

Series IV, Writings, includes preliminary and final drafts (along with the printed versions, where available) of almost everything written by Colonel House: items range from House's now famous "experimental novel" Philip Dru (1912), and the dozens of articles written for Liberty and McCall's during the interwar period, to various unpublished shorter essays, reviews and occasional pieces.

Series V, Personal and Memorabilia, contains copies of over 75 magazine and newspaper articles, as well as an immense collection of newspaper clippings (especially rich for the years 1912-1922 and 1926-1928), personal scrapbooks and a small collection of photographs, and a miscellanea of additional items.

Also included are Godfrey Hodgson's lectures and an interview regarding his biography of House.

Dates

  • 1860-2007
  • Majority of material found within 1885 - 1938

Creator

Language of Materials

The materials are in English, German, and French.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Diary, Reminiscences, and Memories (original transcriptions) of Colonel Edward M. House are digitized and also available on microfilm (HM 236) from Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library. Four logbooks kept during the Paris Peace Conference are also available on microfilm (HM 68). Patrons must use the digital copies, the microfilm, or use copies instead of the originals.

Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy, which is retained by the repository. Researchers wishing to obtain an additional copy for their personal use should consult Copying Services information on the Manuscripts and Archives web site.

Existence and Location of Copies

Diary, Reminiscences, and Memories of Colonel Edward M. House contained in Series II are digitized (see links in Collection Contents) and microfilmed. The microfilm (4 reels, 35mm.) is available from Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library, at cost. Order no. HM236.

Four logbooks kept during the Paris Peace Conference contained in Series II are available on microfilm (1 reel, 35mm.) from Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library, at cost. Order no. HM68.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection are in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Copies of commercially produced audiovisual materials contained in this collection cannot be made for researcher use outside of the repository.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Edward M. House beginning in 1923. Gift of Edward H. Auchincloss, 1991, 2007, 2018. Gift of Maryland Historical Trust, 2003. Gift of James E. Marlow, 2019.

Arrangement

Arranged in five series and six additions: I. Correspondence, 1894-1938. II. Diaries, 1858-1926. III. Political Papers, 1911-1938. IV. Writings, 1912-1938. V. Personal and Memorabilia, 1892-1938.

Extent

267.58 Linear Feet (492 boxes)

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/mssa.ms.0466

Additional Description

Overview

The papers consist of correspondence, diaries, memoirs, writings, photographs, memorabilia, and other papers documenting Edward M. House's personal life and political career. The diary details his childhood experiences and also notes political observations (1912-1924). Materials relating to the Paris Peace Conference include minutes of meetings of the Supreme Council and memoranda from various countries presenting claims. Writings include essays, reviews, novels, and other works. Correspondence includes letters to and from Woodrow Wilson, Charles Seymour, American and foreign politicians, and newspaper and political journalists. Also includes DVDs of Godfrey Hodgson's lectures and an interview regarding his biography of House.

Biographical / Historical

Edward Mandell House was born July 26, 1858 in Houston, Texas. He became active in Texas politics and served as an advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, particularly in the area of foreign affairs. One of America's greatest diplomats, he served as Wilson's chief negotiator in Europe (1917-1919) and as chief deputy for Wilson at the Paris Peace Conference. His major achievements were participating in the drafting of Wilson's Fourteen Points and the Covenant of the League of Nations; and securing an armistice based on American ideals. He died on March 28, 1938 in New York City.

Appendix to Texas Correspondents

Adams, W. A.
Alexander, L. C.
Allen, A. C.
Allen, L. B.
Allen, Sam
Allin, B. C.
Amberg, C. W.
Anderson, W. E.
Andrews, Edw. H.
Andrews, Frank
Andrew's, Mrs. Frank
Ardrey, J. Howard
Armistead, George D.
Arrowood, Charles F.
Austin City Council
Austin, City of
Bagley, W. H.
Bailey, George M.
Bailey, Marten ?
Baker, R. H.
Baker, Searcy
Ball, Thomas H.
Banks, W. S.
Barbee, Will L.
Barkley, E. J.
Barker, Bob
Bates, Frank T.
Bates, Wharton
Batts, R. L .
Baugh, W. M.
Beall, Jack
Bell, c. K.
Bell, J. Franklin
Benedict, H. Y.
Blackshear, E. L.
Blaffer, Robert L.
Blake, J. W.
Blanton, Annie Webb
Blanton, Thomas L.
Bookhout, John B.
Box, John C.
Bradley, Shields
Brahan, R. W.
Brooks, M. M.
Brown, T. J.
Browning, James N.
Bryan, D. D.
Bryan, Guy M.
Bryan, Lewis R.
Bryan, Lewis R. , Jr.
Bryant, J. D.
Buckley, W. F.
Burgess, George F.
Burleson, A. S.
Busby, A. S.
Bushick, F. H.
Camp, Kate (Mrs. B. W.)
Campbell, Ben
Campbell, Fannie (Mrs. T. M.)
Campbell, T. M.
Carden, George A.
Carroll, B. Harvey, Jr.
Carthen, Allen
Cobb, Zach Lamar
Cobbs, T. D.
Colquitt, O. B.
Connally, Tom
Cravens, N. A.
Cresson, Charles C.
Cross, O. H.
Crowley, Miles
Cruger, Anne D.
Cruger, Mrs. P. B.
Cruger, Paul B.
Culberson, C. A.
Culberson, Sally (Mrs. C. A.)
Cullinan
Cushing, E. B.
Daly, J. J.
Daniel, F. E.
Davidson, T. W.
Davis, F. C.
Davis, V. Jefferson
Dealey, G. B.
Denton, Ashley
Denton, Fanny B.
Dickson, Raymond
Donnan, John K.
Dow, Andrew
Dunn, De Witt C.
Dunn, T. C.
Eagle, Joe H.
Edwards, S. V.
Ellis, A. Caswell
Evans, Jink
Ex-Students' Association of the University of Texas
Fenn, Joseph J.
Ferguson, James E.
Finley, R. W.
Finley, W. P.
Finty, T. M., Jr.
Fitzgerald, Hugh N.
Fitzhugh, H. A.
Fitzhugh, P. A.
Fitzhugh, William
Foster, L. L.
Foster, Marcellus E.
Francis, Charles
Fulmore, Sterling R.
Fulmore, Z. T.
Garner, Carrie McKee
Garner, John Nance
Gary, Hampson
Gibbs, C. C.
Gibson, James P.
Ginnuth, William
Goach, Tom C.
Gossett, M. H.
Graham, W. Hurray
Graves, Amos
Graves, Marvin
Green, Jno. E., Jr.
Gregory, T. W.
Groos, Martin E.
Gunter, Jot
Hall, Don
Hall, W. E.
Hamby, William R.
Hamilton, A. D.
Hamlin, C. S.
Hancock, Lewis
Hardy, D. H.
Hardy, Rufus
Harlan, Sam
Harnell, David
Harrison, Bob
Harrison, N. M.
Hefley, W. T.
Henderson, T. F.
Henry, Robert L.
Hicks, Marshall
Hill, E. P.
Hinton, A. P.
Hintze, B. P.
Hippelheuser, Richard H.
Hobby, W. P.
Hogg, Ima
Hogg, James S.
Hogg, Mike
Hogg, Hill C.
Holliday, R. L.
Holliday, Tom C.
Holt, O. T.
Hornaday, W. D.
Hornsby, Jno. w.
House, Edith
House, Edwin, II
House, Elton
House, Henry C.
House, James H. B.
House, Loulie
House, s. H.
House, T. W. (brother)
House, T. W. (nephew)
House, T. W. (great nephew)
Houston, Helen (Mrs. D. F. )
Houston, D. F.
Howard, Rufus
Howe, W. S.
Howze, J. E.
Howze, Robert Lee
Hudson, R. W.
Hunter, A. C.
Hunter, Mrs. A. C.
Hunter, Elton P.
Hutcheson, J. C.
Hutcheson, J. C., Jr.
Hutcheson, Palmer
Hutchings, Henry
Hutchins, Spencer
Jackson, H. M.
Jacobs, Sol
Jameson, Howard Baker
Jameson, Joe Lee
Jameson, Malcolm R.
Jester, Claude W.
Jester, George T.
John, Robert A
Johns, C. D.
Johnson, Jefferson
Johnston, R. M.
Jones, I. J.
Jones, T. N.
Jordan, H. P.
Jurney, C. W.
Keasbey, Lindley M.
Kelso, Winchester
Kimbrough, W. H.
Kirlicks, John A.
Kittrell, N. G.
Kone, Edvlard
Lamkin, J. C.
Landa, Harry
Lane, Jonathan
Lanham, S. W. T.
Lauraine, W. W.
Lockett, R. R.
Lombardi, C.
Long, Walter E.
Longcape, E. M.
Love, Thomas B.
Lovett, Edgar o.
Lovinggood, R. S.
Lubbock, W. L.
Lucy, James
Lynn, Moore
Mabry, W. H..
McAshau, J. E.
McClendon, James W.
McCollum, A. R.
McCulloch, Ben E.
McDaniel C. E.
McDonald, W. J. ("Captain Bill")
MacGregor, W. W.
McIver, A.
McLean, Sadie
McLean, W. P.
McLemore, Jeff
McNeel, J. S.
Madden, J. W.
Malone, Clarence M.
Malone, William
Marcus, Herbert
Marsh, Charles E.
Martin, David P.
Maxey, Thomas S.
Mayfield, Allison
Mayfield, Earle B.
Mayfield, J. C.
Mayfield, John c.
Mayfield, John s.
Mead, Theodore L.
Pabst, Fred C.
Parker, J. B.
Parker, W. R.
Paschal, T. M.
Paulus, D. A.
Payne, c. w.
Pearce, Winbourn
Penn, John C.
Poole, O. H.
Potts, C. S.
Price, Archie
Prince, R. E.
Pryor, Ike
Ramsey, W. F.
Rayburn, Sam
Regan, John H.
Reeves, George
Rice, H. B.
Rice, J. S.
Rice, William M.
Richards, J. M.
Riddle, Lee
Roberdeau, Roger C.
Robertson, William F.
Rogers, C. A.
Rogers, J. B.
Rogers, J. H.
Ross, Frank R.
Rosser, C. H.
Roton, Edward
Rountree, Lee J.
Ryan, Rosine
Sammons, "Major" Edward
Sammons, Ed1Zvard H.
Sanmlons, "Lily" (Mary H. )
Saner, R. E. L.
Sayers, Joseph D.
Scherdirig, Laura Tips
Sealey, George
Sells, Cato
Sevier, Clara D.
Sevier, H. H.
Shands, H. A.
Shaw, Gus
Shaw, W. A.
Shearn, Charles P.
Shepard, Lilla D.
Shepherd, James L.
Sheppard, Morris
Simmang, Theodore E.
Simpson, Willard L.
Sims, J. G., Jr.
Slayden, James L.
Smith, Cecil
Smith, Mrs. Cecil H.
Smith, Fort
Smith, Tom S.
Smith, W. R.
Smoot, A. G.
Sparks, Sam
Spellman, John M.
Springer, P. N.
Stacy, Hartwood
Stacy, William H.
Starr, Amory R.
Stayton, Robert W.
Storey, L. J.
Storey, Mrs. L. J.
Strickland, J. F.
Swayne, James W.
Tabor, George R.
Taliaferro, Sinclair
Taliaferro, Thomas S.
Tankersley, L. J.
Tate, J. Waddy
Templeton, Q. C.
Terrell, John L.
Terry, J. William
Texas, University of
Thomson, R. M.
Thomson, Thad A.
Thomson, Thad A., Jr.
Thorn, J. H.
Thornton, Torn C.
Thornton, William M.
Tibbitt, J. S.
Tips, Eugene
Tips, Walter
Torbert, J. Keith
Trezevant, James H.
Turner, John S.
Ujffy, M. S.
Upton, Walter Hbward
Vale, Sam P.
Vaughan, R. M.
Vining, Will L.
Vinson, Carroll L.
Vinson, Robert E.
Walker, A. S.
Walker, I. W.
Walker, John H. B.
Wallace, H. H.
Walthall, James D.
Ward, Mrs. R. H.
Warren, Fred M.
Waties, J. R.
Watkins, Royall R.
Watson, Roy
Webb, S., Jr.
WeIls, James B.
West, George lel.
Whatley, L. A.
White, Coley C.
White, F. S.
White, Tom J.
Willacy, John G.
Williams, Pearl
Wolters, Jacob
Worsham, B. M.
Wortham, John L.
Wortham,Louis J.
Ziller, Robert L.
Zimpleman, George B.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Edward Mandell House Papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
compiled by N. X. Rizopoulos, Ann Clifford Newhall, Judith Schiff, and Robert Bartels
Date
May 1975
Description rules
Finding Aid Created In Accordance With Manuscripts And Archives Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

http://www.library.yale.edu/mssa/
Contact:
Yale University Library
P.O. Box 208240
New Haven CT 06520-8240 US
(203) 432-1735
(203) 432-7441 (Fax)

Location

Sterling Memorial Library
Room 147
120 High Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

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