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  Manuscript Division  Ernest Gallaudet Draper Papers

Ernest Gallaudet Draper Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS18952

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Ernest Gallaudet Draper (1885-1954) span the years circa 1919-1955, with the bulk of the material dating from 1928 to 1953, and relate largely to his service as assistant secretary of commerce and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

The speeches and writings cover Draper's career before and during his service with the federal government. Speeches and book reviews written before 1935 concern the business economy, unemployment, and unemployment security. His personal diary, "Stirring Times, 1941-1949" relates to problems that came before the Federal Reserve Board during World War II and the board's discussions and decisions, and to personal matters. Other writings include his recollections as a naval reserve officer during World War I, articles, and a foreword. The bound volumes of speeches and articles begin in 1935 with Draper's service as assistant secretary of commerce and end in 1948 during his membership on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Topics include foreign trade, social welfare, business and democracy, trade agreements, banking, small businesses, and defense. The correspondence concerns politics, economic problems, and education. Correspondents include Cordell Hull, Harold L. Ickes, Frances Perkins, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Daniel C. Roper, Harry S. Truman, and Fred M. Vinson.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1919-1955
  • Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1928-1953)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The papers of Ernest Gallaudet Draper are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is neeeded to retrieve these items for research use.

Copyright Status

Copyright in the unpublished writings of Ernest Gallaudet Draper has been dedicated to the public, except that the right to publish as a whole the manuscript of Ernest Gallaudet Draper's random notes, which he called "Stirring Times, 1941-1949," is governed by the copyright act. (Theodora Trowbridge Draper Deed of Gift, 16 December 1955).

Biographical Note

Biographical Note

1885, May 15
Born, Washington, D.C.
1906
B.A., Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.
1906 - 1912
Worked as clerk and in other capacities for Payson Merrill, a book concern, New York, N.Y.
1911
Married Mary White Childs (divorced)
1912 - 1920
President, American Creosoting Co.
1917 - 1918
Lieutenant, U. S. Naval Reserve Force; assistant navigator aboard Sierra (troop transport)
1919
Published Navigating the Ship . New York: D. Van Nostrand Co.
1920 - 1935
Member, People's Institute, New York, N.Y., an offshoot of the Cooper Union Mechanics School
Vice president and treasurer, Hills Brothers Co., packers of Dromedary dates and other food products
1924 - 1927
Served on New York City Commission of Unemployment, New York, N.Y.
Served on New York City Art Commission, New York, N.Y.
1926
Married Theodora Trowbridge Elliman (died 1959)
1930 - 1932
President, American Association of Labor Legislation
1930 - 1935
Member, New York State Commission of Unemployment
1934
Member, National Labor Board
Member, New York State Advisory Committee on Minimum Wages
1934 - 1950
Member, Business Advisory Council, Department of Commerce
1935 - 1938
Assistant secretary of commerce
1936 - 1938
Member, Executive Committee on Commercial Policy
1938 - 1950
Member, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C.
1954, Apr. 30
Died, Washington, D.C.

Extent

250 items
3 containers
1.2 linear feet

Abstract

Manufacturer and government official. Chiefly speeches and articles, including also biographical material, a diary, correspondence, book reviews, clippings, and notes, relating to Draper's service as assistant secretary of commerce and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and including his involvement with various New York state and city agencies concerned with unemployment and labor.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged by type of material.

Additional Guides

A short description of the papers was published in The Library of Congress Quarterly Journal of Current Acquisitions 13, no. 3 (May 1956): 161-62.

Provenance

The papers of Ernest Gallaudet Draper, manufacturer and government official, were given to the Library of Congress by his wife, Theodora Trowbridge Draper, in 1955.

Processing History

The papers of Ernest Gallaudet Draper were arranged and described in 1956. The finding aid was revised and the collection reorganized in 2012.

Title
Ernest Gallaudet Draper Papers
Subtitle
A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress
Author
Prepared by Manuscript Divison StaffRevised by Melinda K. Friend
Date
2012
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Part of the Manuscript Division Repository

Contact:
Manuscript Reading Room
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James Madison Building, LM 101
Washington, DC 20540-4683
(202) 707-5387