Hope T. Eldridge papers, 1939-1991, bulk 1950-1956
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#1619
- Bib ID:
- 9461817 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Eldridge, Hope T. (Hope Tisdale)
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 1 linear feet (2 document boxes)
- Language(s):
- Material is primarily in English with some French.
- 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.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
Summary
This collection contains personal correspondence relating to Hope T. Eldridge's dismissal from her position as a United Nations statistician. It also contains legal correspondence and official documentation, including statements, relating to her administrative tribunal following her dismissal from the U.N. This tribunal took place during the McCarthy-era anti-communist accusations in the early 1950s in the United States of America. The collection also includes academic writing, family correspondence, and photographs.
-
Series I: Correspondence, 1939-1986
The bulk of the correspondence dates from 1950-1955 and pertains to her dismissal from the U.N. and her administrative tribunal. Other correspondence pertains to family and personal concerns, some not written or addressed to Hope T. Eldridge.
-
Series II: Photographs, Undated
Personal portraits of Hope T. Eldridge, includes one photograph with her husband, C. DeWitt Eldridge.
-
Series III: Writings, Undated, 1942-1970
Mainly Hope T. Eldridge's academic writings about demography, including one folder with clippings and correspondence about her 1946 article "Sex Ratio in the U.S."
-
Series IV: U.N. Dismissal, 1952-1991
Statements, clippings, and printed material relating to Hope T. Eldridge's dismissal from the U.N. and her administrative tribunal. There is also material relating more generally to a series of McCarthy-era U.N. dismissals.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 5 series.
- Series I: Correspondence, 1939-1986
- Series II: Photographs, Undated
- Series III: Writings, Undated, 1942-1970
- Series IV: U.N. Dismissal, 1952-1991
- Series V: 2014 Addition, 2014
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.
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); Hope Eldridge 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--Eldridge family. Method of acquisition--Gift.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Papers processed Pamela Casey, Mary Freeman, Manuel Bautista Gonzalez, Amy Meverden, and Emily Rinaldi 06/12/2012.
Finding aid written Carrie Hintz, Pamela Casey, Mary Freeman, Manuel Bautista Gonzalez, Amy Meverden, and Emily Rinaldi 06/12/2012.
Revision Description
2012-06-14 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical Note
Hope Tisdale Eldridge was born June 18, 1904 in Mobile, Alabama. She received her B.A. in English from Barnard College, where she developed an interest in physical education. After receiving her degree from Barnard she attended the Boston Central School of Hygiene and Physical Education where she trained to become a physical education instructor. Eldridge became a professor of physical education at the Women's College of the University of North Carolina in 1927.
Eldridge held that position until 1938 when she began pursuing a career as a sociologist, both as a research assistant with the sociology department at the University of North Carolina, and through her employment with the North Carolina Works Progress Administration. In 1942 Eldridge took a position with the Census Bureau as a statistician, a post she held until 1947 when she took a position as a statistician for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In 1950 Eldridge became the editor of the Demographic Yearbook published by the United Nations.
In October of 1952 Eldridge was ordered to appear before the Internal Security Subcommittee of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee where she was interrogated about her political affiliations and those of her associates. She refused to answer questions that may link her of her acquaintances with communist causes, asserting her first and fifth amendment rights. Her refusal to answer these questions led to her dismissal from her position with the United Nations. She and nineteen other applicants petitioned to be reinstated in their positions, a petition that they ultimately won.
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.
All links open new windows.