Scope and Content Note
The papers of Philip Wilson Bonsal (1903-1995) span the years 1914-1992, with the bulk of the material dated 1943-1963, and consist of correspondence, diaries, memoranda, speeches, and statements. The focus is on Bonsal's postings as a career foreign service officer, with emphasis on his assignment as American ambassador to Cuba during and after its 1959 revolution. Included are descriptions of the differences between Cordell Hull and Sumner Wells regarding Argentina and of ideological battles during international meetings on independence for colonial Africa. Also included is a 1914 book on Maximilian III of Mexico published in French but accompanied by an English translation by Bonsal.
National security-classified information in these papers has been housed separately, where it is organized and described according to the folders and boxes from which it was removed.