Albert Speer letters, 1967-1972

Collection context

Creator:
Speer, Albert, 1905-1981 and Speer, Albert, 1905-1981
Extent:
0.02 linear feet
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

The letters are between convicted war criminal Albert Speer and one of Speer's former prison guards Richard N. Gookins. The correspondence concerns Speer's interest in continuing his architectural career after being released from prison. The guard, who was no longer part of the US Army, sent American architectural magazines to Speer in prison under his name so that Speer would avoid unwanted attention about these inquiries.

Biographical / historical:

Albert Speer (1905-1981) was Adolf Hitler's chief architect and became Minister of Armaments and War Production for Nazi Germany during World War II. Tried for war crimes at Nuremberg, he was sentenced to 20 years in Spandau Prison, one of only two defendants to escape the death penalty.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is available for use by appointment in the Department of Drawings & Archives, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University. For further information, please email avery-drawings@library.columbia.edu.

Location of this collection:
300 Avery Hall
1172 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers are encouraged to request materials at least one month in advance. You will receive an email from the department within 2-3 business days confirming your request and currently available appointment times. Requests are limited to 8 boxes per day (or equivalent), with a maximum of 5 boxes for off-site materials, 5 folders of drawings, or 5 rolls or tube boxes.
Contact:
avery-drawings@columbia.edu