Scope and Content Note
The papers of Leo Pasvolsky span the years 1937-1953, with the bulk of the material dated between 1944 and 1945. The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, workbooks, resolutions, speeches, press releases, invitations, and a copy of the United Nations charter.
The papers focus on the founding of the United Nations and Leo Pasvolsky's role at international conferences. The collection is divided into three series Diaries, Subject File, and Conference File. The Diaries series consists of appointment calendars kept by Pasvolsky for two brief periods, 1945-1946. The Subject File consists primarily of material relating to international organizations, especially reference material generated by the Department of State. The series also relate to postwar planning, international economic relations, and the United Nations Security Council. The Conference File consists of records accumulated by Pasvolsky through his involvement in international conferences as a representative of the Department of State during and following World War II. Conferences covered in the collection include the Dumbarton Oaks Conference on International Organization in 1944, the Inter-American Conference on Problems of War and Peace, and the United Nations Conference on International Organization.
Significant correspondents include Benjamin Gerig, Alger Hiss, Cordell Hull, Archibald Macleish, and Edward R. Stettinius.