Hope T. Eldridge papers, 1939-1991, bulk 1950-1956

Summary Information

Abstract

Hope T. Eldridge was a demographer and statistician at the United Nations, who was a victim of the McCarthy-era anti-communist accusations. The collection includes her personal correspondence and documents relating to her dismissal from the U.N.

At a Glance

Arrangement

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

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.

• Series V: 2014 Addition, 2014

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.

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); 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.

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.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

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.