Scope and Content Note
The papers of Cord Meyer, Jr. (1920-2001) span the years 1922-2000, with the bulk of the items concentrated in the period 1982-1989. A participant in the founding of the United Nations and an advocate of one-world government, Meyer spent almost three decades (1951-1977) with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), becoming one of its highest-ranking officers. His papers, however, bear little reference to his CIA career except in clippings from published sources. They relate more fully to his activities on behalf of one-world government after World War II and document in great detail many facets of his personal and family life. The collection consists of six series: Correspondence, Writings, Miscellany, an Addition, Oversize, and Classified.
The Correspondence series in these papers is organized chronologically and includes letters to and from Meyer. Principal correspondents include his mother, Katharine Thaw Meyer, youngest son, Mark Meyer, and brother and business partner, William B. Meyer. Less frequent correspondents include his CIA colleague and personal friend, James Angleton, and mother-in-law, Ruth P. Pinchot. Several newspaper clippings and draft book contracts are attached to cover letters. Primary subjects include family matters, United World Federalists, and Meyer's book Facing Reality.
The Writings consist of items authored by Meyer, including scholarly papers, articles, a journal, newspaper columns, a playscript, a short story, and speeches and lectures. The journal contains entries dated 1945-1965 and complements the correspondence in documenting personal matters.
The Miscellany consists of newspaper clippings and articles regarding Meyer or aspects of his work with the United World Federalists and the CIA. A number of these items are pasted in scrapbooks in approximate chronological order; others are unbound.
The Addition includes correspondence regarding issues of foreign affairs and columns Meyer wrote for the Washington Times, 1990-1997.