Records of the U.S. Information Agency. 1900 - 2003. Biographic Files
Title:
Records of the U.S. Information Agency. 1900 - 2003. Biographic Files
This series documents the establishment and administration of the United States overseas informational-cultural program. Biographies of the directors and deputy directors of the United States Information Agency (USIA) provide an overview of administrative and operational changes within the USIA. Newspaper articles, memoranda, correspondence, photographs, publications, and transcripts of speeches provide an account of the policies, programs, and official statements issued and implemented by USIA officials. The documents describe the nominations, confirmations, and administration of USIA officials from the agency's establishment in 1953 through its abolishment in 1999. This series documents the activities of 13 USIA directors and six USIA deputy directors. In addition, this series includes the activities of notable officials from the U.S. State Department and officials from the Office of War Information (OWI), the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI), and the Office of the International Information Administration (IIA), predecessor agencies of the USIA.
During World War II, the Office of War Information served as an important U.S. government information agency. Under the guidance of Director Elmer Davis, the OWI developed campaigns to enhance public understanding of the war at home and abroad. The OWI also handled liaisons with the press, radio, and motion pictures. This series documents the administration of Elmer Davis, who served as director of the OWI from 1942-1945. In addition, this series contains press clippings of OWI officials Edward Ware Barrett and Robert E. Sherwood.
The establishment of the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI) in 1941 and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in 1942, refined the intelligence operations of the U.S. The principal architect of U.S. foreign intelligence, William J. Donovan, served as director of the COI, and later the OSS. Press clippings and reports document Donovan's career.
During the post-World War II period, the early Cold War intensified the need for a comprehensive international information program and led to the creation of the International Information Administration (IIA) in the U.S. State Department in 1948. The administration of four IIA directors, George V. Allen (1948-1950), Edward W. Barrett (1950-1952), Wilson Compton (1952-1953), and Robert L. Johnson (1953) is included in this series. In addition, this series contains records pertaining to the appointment of Arthur Kimball, who served as the first interim director of the USIA from August 1- 5, 1953.
Media reactions to developments within the administration of USIA directors comprise a significant portion of this series. Press clippings delineate appointments and nominations, intra-agency problems, and the effectiveness of the USIA in accomplishing its overall mission and purpose. The records in this series contain biographies of USIA directors Theodore Striebert (1953-1956), Arthur Larson (1956-1957), George V. Allen (1957-1960), Edward R. Murrow (1961-1964), Carl T. Rowan (1964-1965), Leonard H. Marks (1965-1968), Frank J. Shakepeare (1969-1973), James Keogh (1973-1976), John E. Reinhardt (1977-1981), Charles Z. Wick (1981- 1988), Bruce S. Gelb (1989-1991), Henry E. Catto (1991-1993), and Penn Kemble (1998-1999). The administration of USIA Director Joseph D. Duffy (1993-1997) is not included in this series.
The administration of select USIA deputy directors is included in this series. Deputy directors assisted agency directors in providing direction, coordination, and management of USIA programs. The administration of Abbot Washburn (1953-1961), Donald M. Wilson (1961-1965), Robert W. Akers (1965-1969), Eugene Kopp (1973-1977), Charles Bray (1977-1981) and Marvin Stone (1985-1989) are documented in this series.
Records pertaining to the nomination, appointment, and administration of notable U.S. State Department officials are also represented in this series. This series contains speeches and press clippings of the administration of Howland H. Sargeant, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1947-1953, John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State, 1952-1959, and Carl W. McCardle, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1956-1957. In addition, speeches by Evelyn Lieberman, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, 1999-2000, are also included in this series.
ArchivalResource:
16 linear feet, 1 linear inch
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