Robert J. Levy papers, 1918-1969, bulk 1943-1946

Creator:

Abstract:

The papers of Robert J. Levy consist primarily of administrative and personal documentation from Levy's time as Liaison Officer from General Dwight David Eisenhower to General Charles de Gaulle during World War II. Also included are related correspondence, personal mementos, and ephemera, and drafts of and notes for a manuscript on de Gaulle.

Extent:

0.73 linear feet 1.5 document boxes

Language:

English , French .

Scope and content:

Much of the collection is drawn from scrapbooks kept by Lt. Col. Robert J. Levy during his period of military service in the U.S. Army. Consisting primarily of administrative and personal documentation, Levy's papers focus mainly on his time as Liaison Officer from General Dwight David Eisenhower to General Charles de Gaulle (1944-1945). The collection also contains ephemera and personal mementos from this time, as well as related correspondence both during and after Levy's service, including a brief correspondence with Eisenhower (1968) regarding Eisenhower's position on the war in Vietnam.

The strength of the papers lies in their documentation of events of World War II from the perspective of someone positioned close to the major historical players. Included in the collection are not only restricted communiques between de Gaulle and the Allies, but also opinions about de Gaulle himself and the effect of the war on the mood and cultural attitudes of the French people, notably an increase in anti-Semitic feeling. The collection also provides a snapshot of daily events through rosters, correspondence, and daily orders. The collection also contains manuscript drafts and notes detailing Levy's experiences with and perspectives on de Gaulle.

The material type of the collection is mixed. Many items in the collection were once or are still mounted to scrapbook pages.

Biographical / historical:

Robert J. Levy was born on August 31, 1902, in New Orleans, LA. He was raised in New Orleans and attended one year at Tulane University before transferring to Harvard University, from which he earned his A.B. degree in English and Economics in 1923. In 1927, he married Rebecca Claire Shwartz (b. 1902), also of New Orleans, with whom he had one daughter, Ann Patricia Levy.

A resident of New York City from 1935, Levy traveled often to Washington D.C. as a business analyst and financial expert, serving as Head Administrative Officer and Business Head C.A.F. for the Office of the Board of Economic Welfare and Office of Price Administration Industrial Manufacturing Division (January-July 1943) and Head Administrative Officer of the Board of Economic Warfare (rubber development and procurement). Levy also served as a Senior Partner in his family's financial firm starting in 1932, a position which he retained while overseas during World War II, until 1951.

Levy traveled throughout Europe as an officer with the U.S. Army, and in 1944 and 1945 served as Liaison Officer from General Dwight David Eisenhower to General Charles de Gaulle and Liaison Officer to General Alphonse Juin, Chief of Staff for National Defense (France) for the Supreme Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces (S.H.A.E.F.) Mission to France. Levy also represented S.H.A.E.F. as member secretariat of the four party committee (United States, France, United Kingdom, and S.H.A.E.F.). For his service, Levy was awarded a E.A.M.E. Theater Ribbon with 1 star, World War II Victory Medal, and Croix de Guerre with Palm (France) and received the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Order of the British Empire (Degree Officer).

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Levy, Robert J. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M-69.

Processing information:

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 07/--/89.

Papers processed by Kellie Walsh (Rutgers University, 2012).

Finding aid written by Kellie Walsh (Rutgers University, 2012) March 2011.

Collection is processed to folder level.

Arrangement:

This collection has been left in its original physical order, but is intellectually arranged in three series. Although a broad distinction has been made between documents related to general military operations and those related to Levy personally, most of Levy's personal papers also reflect on or relate to his time in the military. Arranged in 3 series.

Accruals:

No additions are expected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

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:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Robert J. Levy papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
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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