This collection is located on-site.
The collection consists of a small amount of correspondence (1942-1948) which revolves almost exclusively around Ernest Rope's efforts to teach Russian affairs at U.S. universities; one folder of personal documents, including letters of appointment, citations of merit, identity cards, and other items; manuscripts of articles and of a book length volume entitled "The Russia I have known;" and a diary, together with a photo-album, detailing his work in northern Russia and Estonia on behalf of the YMCA. The diary abounds with references to political and military events in northern Russia during the years 1919-1921.
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 on-site.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Papers: Source of acquisition--John C. Ropes and Mrs. Nathalie W. Ropes. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1962.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Papers Accessioned 1962.
Papers Processed 03/--/81.
2022-03-03 PDF removed. kws
An American who spent his childhood in St. Petersburg where his father, William Hall Ropes, headed the American trading firm of W. Ropes & Co. After World War I Ernest Ropes was a YMCA representative working closely with the American Relief Commission first in Murmansk and Arkhangelʹsk to ameliorate the living conditions of the allied soldiers and subsequently in Estonia where he set up schools for Russian refugee children and worked with prisoners of war.