Douglas, Helen Gahagan, 1900-1980

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Congresswoman, actress, singer; interviewee married Melvyn Douglas.

From the description of Reminiscences of Helen Gahagan Douglas : oral history, 1973-1976. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122419917

Douglas had a long and illustrious professional life, first as a stage actress and opera singer, then as a member of Congress from Los Angeles. She left elected office when she lost the 1950 California Senate race to Richard Nixon, but stayed active in Democratic politics until her death.

From the description of Papers, 1922-1980, bulk 1940-1951. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 518138859

American actress and member of Congress.

From the description of Autograph letters signed : Los Angeles, [n.p.], to Stark Young, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270870847

Helen Gahagan Douglas was an American singer, actress, and politician.

Douglas was born November 25, 1900 in Boonton, New Jersey. She attended Barnard College at Columbia University because of its close proximity to Broadway and began taking acting classes, making her theatrical debut in the 1922 production of Dreams for sale. Douglas then left college for Europe in order to study opera. Returning to the United States in 1930, she met her future husband, Melvyn Douglas, while playing in Tonight or never. They married on April 15, 1931 and raised three children. Her political interest, sparked by the rise of Nazism in Germany and Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, led Douglas to champion liberal causes in California such as civil rights, organized labor, and environmental issues. Douglas became the Democratic national committeewoman for California in 1940, and in 1944, she won the congressional seat for California's Fourteenth District (reelected in 1946 and 1948). In 1950 Douglas ran against Richard M. Nixon for the United States Senate. The campaign turned ugly; Nixon supporters accused Douglas of having Communist connections. Douglas lost the election and retired from political life. She passed away June 28, 1980.

From the description of Oral history interviews of the Biography: Helen Gahagan Douglas Oral History Project, 1973-1983. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 50488261
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
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referencedIn Goldschmidt, Arthur. Reminiscences of Arthur Goldschmidt : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Gahagan, Helen, 1900-1980. Autograph letters signed : Los Angeles, [n.p.], to Stark Young, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Chavoor, Evelyn, 1917-. Reminiscences of Evelyn Chavoor : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Rogers, Frank. Reminiscences of Frank Rogers : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Keyserling, Mary Dublin. Reminiscences of Mary D. Keyserling : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Goodman, Leo. Reminiscences of Leo Goodman : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Robert Watts Hudgens Papers, 1925-1973 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Baxandall, Rosalyn Fraad, 1939-. Reformers and radicals. California State University, Long Beach
creatorOf Foy, Mary Emily, 1862-1958. Papers of Mary Emily Foy, 1879-1957. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Eleanor Roosevelt oral history project, 1977-1980. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn California Federation for Civic Unity Records, 1945-1956 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Guide to the Daily Worker and Daily World Photographs Collection, 1920-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Totheroh, Dan. Portraits from the Dan Totheroh papers [graphic]. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Paul Field Sifton and Claire Sifton Papers, 1912-1980, (bulk 1925-1971) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Robert Benney research materials, 1926-1978 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Newman, Pauline. Papers, 1903-1982 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn International Institute of Rural Reconstruction. Records, 1914-1999. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Autograph File, D, 1586-1975. Houghton Library
referencedIn Felix Mendelsohn scrapbook, 1927-1962, 1927-1935 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Lyndon Baines Johnson Archives Collection. 1931 - 1968. Congressional Correspondence Files Lyndon Baines Johnson Library
referencedIn Edward U. Condon Papers, Circa 1920-1974 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn American Vaudeville Museum collection, 1845-2007, (bulk 1910-1940) University of Arizona Libraries, Library Special Collections
referencedIn Harding, Kenneth. Reminiscences of Kenneth Harding : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Papers of Clara Mortensen Beyer Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Mendelsohn, Felix, Jr. Felix Mendelsohn scrapbook, 1927-1962, bulk 1927-1935. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Fleur Fenton White House Files (Truman Administration). 1946 - 1946. Subject Files. 1946 - 1946. Broadcast--Douglas - Clapper - Luce Harry S. Truman Library
referencedIn Sampson, Edith S. (Edith Spurlock), 1901?-1979. Papers, 1927-1979 (inclusive) 1934-1979 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Scobie, Ingrid Winther, 1943-. Ingrid Winther Scobie papers, 1900-1990. Texas Woman's University Library, Mary Evelyn Blagg-Huey Library
referencedIn Welles mss., 1930-1950, (Bulk 1936-1947) Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Carter, Margaret B., 1909-1988. Papers, 1926-1976, bulk 1944-1974. University of Texas at Arlington, Central Library
referencedIn Cohen, Lucy Kramer. Reminiscences of Lucy Kramer Cohen : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Papers, 1927-1979 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Biography: Helen Gahagan Douglas, 1973-1983 Indiana University, Bloomington. Center for the Study of History and Memory
referencedIn Peterson, Esther, 1906-1997. Papers, 1884-1998 (inclusive), 1929-1998 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Malone, William. William Malone interview : oral history transcript / tape recorded interview conducted 1978 by Malca Chall for the Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, California : and related material, 1978-1981. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Ruth Lybeck Papers, 1944-1950 University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
referencedIn Lucy Kramer Cohen papers, 1902-2005 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Clifton, Florence McChesney. Florence McChesney Clifton collection on California Democratic Party, 1938-1966 (bulk 1938-1950). UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Margaret B. Carter Papers AR239., 1926-1976, 1944-1974 Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library
creatorOf Douglas, Helen Gahagan, 1900-1980. Oral history interviews of the Biography: Helen Gahagan Douglas Oral History Project, 1973-1983. Indiana University
referencedIn The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Bell, Rachel. Reminiscences of Rachel Bell : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Helen Gahagan Douglas Oral History Project research files. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Littledale, Clara Savage, 1891-1956. Papers, 1903-1982 (inclusive), 1903-1956 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Pick, Walter, 1914-. Reminiscences of Walter Pick : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Souvenir programs for theatrical productions, 1906-2005. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Johan Hagemeyer Photograph Collection, circa 1908-circa 1955 Bancroft Library
referencedIn McCann, Charles W. A., 1900-1980. Photograph collection, 1914-ca. 1969. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn De Sola, Alis. Reminiscences of Alis De Sola : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Portraits from the Dan Totheroh Papers [graphic], ca. 1925-ca. 1975 Bancroft Library
referencedIn Noel-Baker, Philip Noel-Baker, Baron. Reminiscences of Philipo J. Noel-Baker : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Douglas, Helen Gahagan, 1900-1980. Reminiscences of Helen Gahagan Douglas : oral history, 1973-1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn She's Nobody's Baby collection, 1980-1987 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Watts, Fay Bennet. Reminiscences of Fay Bennet Watts : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Edwards, India. Reminiscences of India Edwards : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Hogan, Charles A., 1906-1981. Reminiscences of Charles A. Hogan : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interview with Roy Day Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Meyers, Alvin P. Reminiscences of Alvin P. Meyers : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Sifton, Paul Field, 1897-1972. Paul F. Sifton and Claire G. Sifton papers, 1912-1980. Library of Congress
referencedIn Holifield, Chet, 1903-. Reminiscences of Chester E. Holifield : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Dudley, Tilford, 1907-1990. Reminiscences of Tilford Dudley : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Cahn, Albert. Reminiscences of Albert Cahn : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Douglas, Helen Gahagan. Letter to Albert Craig Baird. Washington, DC. 1948 May 6. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Lybeck, Ruth. Papers, 1944-1950. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Cahn, Margery. Reminiscences of Margery Cahn : oral history, 1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Goldschmidt, Elizabeth Wickenden. Reminiscences of Elizabeth Wickenden Goldschmidt : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Vanderhoof, Frank E., b. 1888. Frank E. Vanderhoof papers, 1933-1956. Library of Congress
referencedIn California Federation for Civic Unity. California Federation for Civic Unity records, 1945-1956. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn J. B. Matthews Papers, 1862-1986 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Davall, Irene. Papers of Irene Davall, 1971-1987. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Guide to the Harry Laidler Photographs, 1893-1968 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Rayburn, Sam, 1882-1961, Papers, 1822, 1831, 1845, 1903-2007 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Loeb, Joseph Philip, 1883-1974. Papers of Joseph Philip Loeb, 1899-1971. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Lustig, Helen. Reminiscences of Helen Lustig : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Julia Gorman Porter papers, 1906-1987 (bulk 1928-1987). UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Theatre Arts Monthly, collection of portraits, ca., ca., 1924-1939 (bulk), 1916-1964 (inclusive). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn DeShetler, Irwin L., 1906-. Irwin L. DeShelter papers, 1933-1971. Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
creatorOf Douglas, Helen Gahagan, 1900-1980. Papers, 1922-1980, bulk 1940-1951. University of Oklahoma, Bizzell Memorial Library
referencedIn Barbee, Juanita Terry. Reminiscences of Juanita Terry Barbee : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Guide to the Harry Laidler Photographs, 1893-1968 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Palms, Cornelia. Reminiscences of Cornelia Palms : oral history, 1977. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Papers, 1884-1998 (inclusive), 1929-1988 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Biography: Melvyn Douglas, 1972-1980 Indiana University, Bloomington. Center for the Study of History and Memory
referencedIn Papers, 1922-1967 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Newman, Pauline, ca. 1890-1986. Papers, 1900-1980 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Lindsley, Byron, 1915-. Reminiscnces of Byron Lindsley : oral history, 1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Douglas project : oral history, 1973-1978. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Cumming, Adelaide Fish Hawley, 1905-. Papers, 1922-1967 (inclusive). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interview with Florence McChesney Clifton Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Official Files (Truman Administration). 1945 - 1953. Official Files . 1945 - 1953. Political Matters, OF 300. 1945 - 1953. Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman Library
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Place Name Admin Code Country
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California
Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)
United States
United States
Los Angeles (Calif.)
China--Germany--Greece--Korea
Palestine
California
California
South America
New York (State)--New York
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Birth 1900

Birth 1900-11-25

Death 1980-06-28

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