Scope and Content Note
The papers of Henry Robinson Luce (1898-1967) span the years 1917-1967 with the bulk of the material dated 1945-1967. The collection is organized in seven series: Special Correspondence , Business and Social Correspondence , Subject File , Speeches and Writings File , Financial Papers , Miscellany , and an Addition . Although the papers primarily document Luce's work with organizations, they also reflect his other professional and personal concerns as well. As head of the Time-Life-Fortune publishing empire, Luce's concerns touched many aspects of political, social, and cultural history in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. Luce believed that America should serve as a democratic example in the world, and his internationalist perspective is documented throughout the collection, most particularly in files on China and international law.
With three exceptions – deeds from Mepkin plantation in South Carolina dated 1917, army records from 1920, and speeches from 1928 onward – the earliest date of papers is 1933 by which time Luce was already a successful editor and publisher and was beginning to devote more of his time to interests outside Time/Life. There is no material for the earlier years when Luce was beginning his publishing endeavors. From 1933 to1967, there are papers on Luce's households, finances, travels, and his advisory and philanthropic activities, but the bulk of the collection dates after 1945 and relates to activities ancillary to his publishing concerns. Papers relating to Time, inc., were retained by the corporation.
The Henry Luce Papers were received at the Library in approximately twenty major sections, with subdivisions corresponding closely with the administrative structure of Luce's office. Although the integrity of this arrangement has been retained, the present organization of the seven series is a simplification of the original order. A large portion originally consisted of files from Luce's office assistants, or personal assistants, in particular, Edward K. C. (“Kip”) Finch, Russell Bourne, and Emmeline Nollen. There is evidence, too, that Allen Grover and C. D. Jackson, officials of Time/Life, were entrusted with Luce's personal and financial affairs. From these people come numerous memoranda for Luce's attention, drafts of correspondence, and responses to his requests for research on a particular subject. Much of the Luce correspondence in the collection was handled by one of his assistants. There is, however, correspondence composed by Luce himself scattered throughout the collection. Notations in pencil on memoranda or on incoming correspondence were Luce's method of suggesting syntactic improvement or to relay the gist of his own thoughts on a subject.
The Special Correspondence series consists of social notes and generally brief correspondence with enclosures from well-known figures of the century seeking favors or an exchange of ideas. Some of these letters are social notes; others relate to organizations or briefly discuss political issues. A note from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for example, states that he would like to discuss a specific matter with Luce, but there is no record of the actual discussion. The series also includes substantive correspondence, both personal and business, from individuals such as Raymond E. Baldwin, Baron Max Aitken Beaverbrook, Chester Bowles, Brendan Bracken, Pearl S. Buck, William C. Bullitt, John Foster Dulles, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Walter Judd, Henry Cabot Lodge (1902- ), Henry Kissinger, Archibald MacLeish, Robert G. Menzies, Nelson Rockefeller, David O. Selznick, Spyros P. Skouros, Herbert Bayard Swope, Arthur H. Vandenberg, Thornton Wilder, and Wendell L. Willkie. Copies of Luce's replies are usually absent.
The Business and Social Correspondence series includes invitations and requests to sponsor or serve on committees; attend conferences, dinners, and luncheons; appear on radio and televison; write letters of recommendation or articles; schedule appointments; and contribute money. Articles, books, and other gifts sent to Luce are documented through his thank-you notes.
The Subject File is the largest series in the collection. Focusing on Luce's involvement with national and international organizations as director, trustee, sponsor, patron, chairman, committee member, donor, or contributor, it documents the degree to which Luce participated in the life of a particular organization. By far the largest areas of interest for Luce relate to Chinese cultural, social, and political history, Christianity and philanthropy in the United States, and international law. Papers on the latter are confined to the Subject File , with cross-references to the Speeches and Writings . The papers pertaining to China are also primarily located in the Subject File . These extensive files range from Luce's support for Christian missionary work and educational institutions to war relief campaigns as the Chinese fought to expel Japanese forces during World War II and later as Nationalist forces battled the Communists for control of the country. Additional material located in the Business and Social Correspondence series is filed with miscellaneous correspondence in reference to China. China is also the subject of many speeches in the Speeches and Writings File . Files on Christianity and philanthropy are found in the Subject File under the names of organizations, such as those related to Presbyterians.
Luce's other interests evident in the Subject File include innovative approaches to education discussed in files for Kirkland College, Pro Deo, and Yale Luce Professorship. The Institute for Pacific Relations and Rockefeller Brothers Fund files concern world politics. Ecology is a subject of the Mepkin Plantation papers, Valley Beautiful Citizens Council, and Strip Mining Research files. Civil rights for minorities are represented in the National Urban League material.
The Speeches and Writings File includes speeches dated 1928-1967. Luce's principal subjects are China, religion, philosophy, and international law. Since some of the speeches are handwritten or have first and second drafts, Luce's thoughts and ideology emerge from the texts. Also included in this series is a book manuscript written in 1966 in which Luce recalls three decades of American history and the men of political and economic power whom he knew and consulted. The manuscript complements an earlier publication, “The American Century,” which, though not included among the writings in this series, is the subject of correspondence constituting the Addition. Portions of the unpublished book were incorporated into The Ideas of Henry Luce edited by John K. Jessup and published in 1969. A brief diary, circa1940-1947, details a meeting with Franklin D. Roosevelt; handwritten notes and fragments from this period are of a philosophical nature.
The Financial Papers series includes financial and property records. The Miscellany series includes biographical material, honorary degrees, awards, citations, and files concerning the management of household, office, and personal affairs such as gifts and travel.