John H. Backer papers, 1945-1985

Summary Information

Description

Scope and Content

Correspondence, manuscripts, reports, research files, audiotapes, and photographs documenting Backer's research and writing on General Clay and post war German affairs; his service in the military government, as a member of the Foreign Service, and as the supervisor of the U.S. Information Agency officer in numerous German cities. In researching his three books, Backer interviewed a number of public and military figures on audiotapes. There are several letters each from W. Averell Harriman, John Kenneth Galbraith, George Kennan, and John J. McCloy. The collection includes several boxes of photocopies of documents from various sources.

Arrangement

Selected items cataloged; remainder arranged. Boxes 1-10: Winds of History; Boxes 11-14: Priming the German Economy; Boxes 15-19: The Decision to Divide Germany; Boxes 20-23: Misc.; Box 24: Lecture notes & microfilms; Box 25: Tapes.

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.

Boxes 2-25 are 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

Single photocopies 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); John H. Baker 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

Gift of Mrs. John H. Backer, 1985.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Source of acquisition--Backer, Mrs. John. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/30/85. Accession number--M-85-12-30.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Processed AR/BRC 08/06/86.

Revision Description

2009-06-26 File created.

2011-11-15 EAD created by PTL

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

Biographical sketch

Author and diplomat John H. Backer, 1902-1985 (Columbia M.A., 1955), served in the Economic Divivion of General Lucius D. Clay's Military Government in Germany (OMGUS) from 1945 to 1948. As a member of the U.S. Foreign Service he held important posts in Germany and in the Soviet Union. His publications include: "Priming the German Economy: American Occupational Policies" "The Decision to Divide Germany: America's Foreign Policy in Transition" and "Winds of History: the German Years of Lucius DuBignon Clay.".

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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