Hugh R. Jackson Papers, 1942-1945, bulk 1942-1945

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection documents the work of Hugh R. Jackson (1912-1966) as assistant director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitations Operations (OFRRO) from 1942-1943 and as deputy director-general of the United States Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNNRA) from 1942-1945.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into two series.

• Series I: Creation of UNRRA and Missions, 1942-1945
• Series II: Chronological File, 1942-1945

Description

Scope and Content

The collection consists of two boxes of material relating to Hugh Jackson's work as assistant director of the US Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitations Operations (OFRRO) from 1942 to 1943 and as deputy director-general of the United States Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) from 1942 to 1945. It contains information on the creation and operation of UNRRA and several folders on the UNNRA Balkan and Poland missions, and a smaller amount of material on OFRRO. Documents include correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and photographs.

• Series I: Creation of UNRRA and Missions, 1942-1945

  This series contains several folders relating to the creation of UNRRA, including reports and correspondence that outline the scope of its responsibilities, its relationships with other relief organizations, and its interactions with the US military. There are also folders on the Balkan mission, which brought relief to Greece, Yugoslavia, and Albania, and the Poland mission. Both of these files cover the organization, goals, and plans of action involved in each mission.

• Series II: Chronological File, 1942-1945

  This series is comprised of correspondence, memos, and reports filed by date. It contains documents from the day-to-day operations of UNRRA, such as requests for funds, clothing, food, or other items for specific groups, information on transporting refugees; staffing information, reports on food distribution, and plans for the organization. These memos were written to Herbert Lehman and other UNRRA officials. Also included are staff meeting minutes, which discuss UNRRA policy, budgets, and proposals, often at length and in great detail. Photographs of the first UNRRA meeting in Atlantic City, which include images of Lehman and Jackson, can be found in folder in this series.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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

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); Hugh R. Jackson 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. Jean Forsch Jackson, 1966.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Correspondence, minutes, documents, papers: Source of acquisition--Jackson, Mrs. Hugh R. Date of acquisition--1966.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Correspondence, minutes, documents, papers Surveyed Julie Miller 05/--/87.

Papers processed Tracy Thai, Barnard '12 2011.

Finding aid written Carolyn Smith 2013.

Revision Description

2013-07-04 xml document created by Carolyn Smith

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

Subject Headings

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

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical sketch

Hugh Russell Jackson was born on October 14, 1912 in Kuttawa, Kentucky, the son of Dellem O. and Fannie Stillwell Jackson. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky and a master's in public administration from Syracuse University. Jackson married Jean Forsch in 1937 and the couple would have two daughters, Pamela Jean and Patricia Ann.

From 1936 to 1939, Jackson was associate secretary of the State Charities Aid Association in New York, and was appointed director of public assistance for New York City by Mayor LaGuardia in 1939. In 1941, Jackson was appointed chief of operations of the civilian mobilization branch of the Office of Civilian Defense. He then served as assistant director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations (OFFRO) from 1942 to 1943.

Jackson was involved in the creation of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), which provided relief to refugees and other victims of World War II. He served as deputy director-general of UNRRA from 1942 to 1945, coordinating the distribution of food and supplies in series of missions throughout Europe.

Over the course of his life Jackson was also a governor of the Association of Better Business Bureaus, vice president of the Advertising Club of New York, president of the National Social Welfare Assembly, and director of United Community Funds and Councils of America.

Hugh Jackson died March 8, 1966.