Andrew W. Cordier papers, 1918-1975

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Creator:

Cordier, Andrew W (Andrew Wellington), 1901-1975

Abstract:

The large collection covers all aspects of Cordier's life. It contains letters, memoranda, reports, cables, printed materials and photographs, mostly pertaining to his tenure at the United Nations and Columbia University.

Extent:

160 linear feet (202520 items in 347 boxes)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, printed material, and photographs of Cordier. The papers cover three periods of Cordier's life: the early years, especially undergraduate and graduate school, as a professor at Manchester College in Indiana, and as a member of the U.S. State Dept.; the United Nations period, as a member of the Secretariat, and including the files of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and working files for the publication of THE PUBLIC PAPERS OF THE SECRETARIES-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS; and the Columbia University period, containing Cordier's personal and working files during the time of his deanship and presidency. Among the prominent correspondents are Dag Hammarskjöld, Trygve Lie, Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., Chester W. Nimitz, Lester B. Pearson, Nelson A. Rockefeller, Carlos P. Romulo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Adlai E. Stevenson, and Harry S. Truman.

Biographical / historical:

Andrew Wellington Cordier was born in Canton, Ohio in 1901. He died on Long Island in 1975. Cordier was educated at Manchester College in Indiana (1923-44); the Univ. of Chicago; and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.

From 1944 to 1946 he worked at the U.S. Dept. of State, after which he joined the United Nations, eventually serving as Executive Assistant to the UN secretaries general. He was a chief negotiator for the United Nations in the Congo in 1960. In 1962 he left the UN to become Dean of the School of International Affairs (SIA) at Columbia University. He served as acting President of Columbia in the years 1968 and 1969; later he was appointed President (1969-70). After leaving the Columbia presidency, Cordier returned to his position as Dean of SIA and served until 1972.

In 1970 Cordier was awarded the Alexander Hamilton medal, the university's highest honor.

Custodial history:: Gift of Andrew W. Cordier, 1975, 1979 & 1980; transferred from the Lehman Library, 1977; gift of Doreen Geary, 1982.
Arrangement:: The papers are organized in 11 series, with one supplement series. The arrangement and list of the material in Boxes 39-202 is adapted from the work done on the files in Cordier's office.
Accruals:: Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Physical facet:: includes analog media (digitized by CUL in 2017)
Rules or conventions:: appm
Related material:: For the records of the Office of the Columbia University President, see Central Files (UA#0001). In addition, see also the Andrew Cordier Papers at the Columbia University Archives (UA#0145); the University Protest and Activism Collection (UA#0007) and the Joint Committee on Disciplinary Affairs Records (UA#0006).
Alternative form available:: The United Nations microfilmed the UN-related papers in the early 1980s, and it holds the microfilm. RBML does not hold a copy of the microfilm.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 1-346. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Certain files have been closed by the United Nations, by special order of the Secretary-General.

During March 1991, the status of all materials which had previously been closed to the public was reviewed with respect to the declassification policies outlined in the two letters from U.N. Chief Archivist Alf Erlandsson. Under these guidelines, code cables, items captioned "Top Secret" or "Strictly Confidential" and certain personal records remain closed.

In May 2016, The United Nations declassified the entire contents of Boxes 175-184. These materials are now available for research use. In August 2024, the contents of boxes 104-108 were opened, with the exception of one folder in box 107 that remains restricted. In January 2025, select cables in box 125 were opened.

In most cases, materials for which restrictions remain in force have been removed from the regular collection and placed in specially marked boxes at the end of the series. The only exception to this practice involves boxes which contain restricted materials exclusively. These have been sealed with red string and lef in sequence with the rest of the collection.

In the box list, those subject folders from which restricted materials have been removed are marked with an asterisk (*). In addition, dummies have been placed in those folder explaining the nature and quantity of the restricted materials removed. Sealed boxes (containing only restricted materials) are indicated with a number sign (#).

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Andrew Wellington Cordier Papers. Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Columbia University.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection