Moe Berg papers, 1910-1980, bulk 1920-1964

Summary Information

Description

Summary

The Moe Berg Papers contain correspondence, photographs, and ephemera related to Berg's career as a professional baseball player, as well as his experience as a spy for the CIA and the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. Also included in the collection is a series of material collected by or generated by Moe Berg's sister Ethel in the process of writing and promoting a biography of her brother.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into one series. Material is arranged topically, and roughly chronologically within topic.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

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 Governing Use and Reproduction

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); Moe Berg Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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

Ownership and Custodial History

Diamond Law Library received the material from Moe Berg's sister, Ethel Berg.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2013.2014.M055: Source of acquisition--Columbia Law Library. Method of acquisition--transfer; Date of acquisition--09/06/2013.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed ceh 7/16/2014.

Finding aid written ceh 7/16/2014.

Revision Description

2014-08-01 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

Morris (Moe) Berg, born on March 2, 1902, was a Major League Baseball catcher and coach, and later a spy for the United States. Berg briefly attended New York University before transferring to Princeton in 1919 where he played shortstop and ultimately received a B.A. in modern languages in 1923. He began playing baseball professionally after graduation with the Brooklyn Robins. In 1926 Berg took a leave of absence from the White Sox to pursue a law degree at the Columbia University Law School. When he returned to baseball he was drafted to fill in as catcher due to an injury. He remained a catcher for the rest of his playing career. After he stopped playing, Berg briefly served as part of the Red Sox coaching staff from 1940-1941 until the U.S.'s entry into World War II shifted his focus to national service. During the war he served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services and later worked for this organization's successor the Central Intelligence Agency. Berg died on May 29, 1970.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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