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Emmet Hughes Papers, 1940-1962 (bulk 1952-1957): Finding Aid

MC073

Photograph from Emmet Hughes Papers

Published in 2001

©2006 Princeton University Library

Summary Information

Creator:

Hughes, Emmet John, 1920-

Title and dates:

Emmet Hughes Papers, 1940-1962 (bulk 1952-1957)

Abstract:

The Emmet Hughes papers document Hughes's work as a speechwriter for Dwight D. Eisenhower in the presidential campaigns of 1952 and 1956 and the first year of Eisenhower's presidency. The collection also includes notes and reviews related to the various books and articles written by Hughes, as well as general correspondence.

Size:

3.8 linear feet (7 archival boxes, 1 photo box)

Call number:

MC073

Location:

Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Public Policy Papers.
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA

Language(s) of material:

English.

Storage note:

This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library.

Biography of Emmett John Hughes

Emmett John Hughes was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 26, 1920, the son of John L. and Grace (Freeman) Hughes. He graduated summa cum laude in 1941 from Princeton University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His senior thesis, The Church and the Liberal Society (1944), was published by the Princeton University Press and was a Catholic Book Club selection.

He enlisted in the army during his first year of graduate studies at Columbia University. While in the army (1942-1946), he served as a press attachè with the United States Embassy at Madrid and with the Office of Strategic Services and Office of War Information in Spain.

Time-Life International appointed him bureau chief in Rome from 1947 to 1948 and then transferred him for a one-year assignment in Berlin. In 1949 he moved to the New York offices of Time-Life, Inc. His positions included articles editor for Life (1949-1953), Time-Life International special European correspondent (1953-1956), editor of Fortune (1956-1957), and Time-Life International chief foreign correspondent (1957-1960). Later he was a Newsweek columnist and editorial consultant (1963-1968). He retired from the board of editors of Fortune magazine in 1982.

Hughes was an aide and speechwriter for Dwight D. Eisenhower during various leaves of absence from Time-Life, Inc. He drafted speeches for Eisenhower's 1952 and 1956 campaigns and served as administrative assistant to Eisenhower in 1953. He wrote the “I shall go to Korea” speech which is credited with sealing Eisenhower's 1952 victory. Hughes accompanied the president-elect on this promised trip to Korea.

Hughes wrote several books on the presidency, including America The Vincible (1959) which criticized the Eisenhower administration and ended his friendship with the president. This book led to his position as the political advisor for the Rockefeller family from 1960-1963. He subsequently worked as a political advisor and speechwriter for Governor Nelson Rockefeller during his unsuccessful presidential bid in 1968.

Hughes authored other books, including Report from Spain (1947) based on his experience during his military service there, The Ordeal of Power: A Political Memoir of the Eisenhower Years (1963), and The Living Presidency: The Resources and Dilemmas of American Presidential Office (1973).

Hughes served as professor of political science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University from 1970 until he died from a heart attack on September 18, 1982 at the age of 61.

Hughes had a son John with his first wife Mariefrances Pfeiffer whom he married while living in Spain. He had two daughters, Mary Larkin and Kathleen Freeman with Eileen Lanouette with whom he worked at Time-Life in New York and wed December 24, 1951. He later married Katherine Nouri with whom he had two daughters, Caitlin and Johanna.

Description

The bulk of the collection consists of various versions and revisions of speeches, many of them containing comments or editing by President Eisenhower. The letters and notes found in the correspondence series cover a range of topics, some of which are related to the campaigns.

Arrangement

Organized into the following series:

• Series 1: Correspondence, 1948-1959
• Series 2: Speeches, 1952-1957
• Series 3: General, 1940-1962

Access and Use

Access

Collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Public Policy Papers . Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Emmet Hughes donated this collection in 1965.

Processing and Other Information

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Rachel E. Ban in 2001. Finding aid written by Rachel E. Ban in 2001.

Descriptive Rules Used

Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

Encoding

Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by Techbooks and Cristela García-Spitz on October 13, 2006.

Finding aid written in English.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Emmet Hughes Papers, Box and Folder Number; Public Policy Papers, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Subject Headings

These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.

• Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969 -- oratory.
• Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969 -- Photographs.
• Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969 -- Political and social views.
• Campaign speeches, 1952 -- Republican.
• Campaign speeches, 1956 -- Republican.
• Communications in politics -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
• Elections -- United States -- 1952.
• Elections -- United States -- 1956.
• Journalists -- United States -- 20th century -- Correspondence.
• Korean War, 1950-1953 -- United States.
• Politcal oratory -- United States -- 20th century.
• Presidents -- United States -- 20th century.
• Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1952.
• Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1956.
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1952.
• United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1952.
• Correspondence.
• Photographs.
• Speeches.

Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:

• American history/20th century
• American politics and government
• Cold War
• Journalism

Contents List

1. Series 1, Correspondence, 1948-1959 Series Description Series 1, Correspondence, 1948-1959, arranged alphabetically by correspondent, contains letters, notes and memoranda. The following sets of letters are found together outside the general alphabetical folders: congratulatory letters on Hughes's appointment as the administrative assistant to President Eisenhower, letters from the Princeton Class of 1941, and correspondence with Eisenhower. Correspondence and memoranda directly related to various speeches are found in Series 2. Series Arrangement [arranged alphabetically]

2. Correspondence A-K, 1949-1957

   Box 1, Folder 1

3. Correspondence L-Z, 1948-1956

   Box 1, Folder 2

4. Class of 1941, 1953

   Box 1, Folder 3

5. Congratulatory Letters, 1953

   Box 1, Folder 4

6. Eisenhower, Dwight D., 1952-1959

   Box 1, Folder 5

7. Series 2, Speeches, 1952-1957 Series Description Series 2, Speeches, 1952-1957, arranged chronologically, contains speeches written or reviewed by Hughes. Correspondence, notes, various drafts, press releases of the speech text, and newspaper clippings are filed with their respective speeches. Five notable speeches in this series are Eisenhower's 1953 and 1957 Inaugural Addresses, the 1953 State of the Union address, the “I Will Go To Korea” campaign speech, and the widely disseminated “Chance for Peace” speech also known as the “Cross of Iron” speech. In addition to speeches there are a few presidential statements and press releases unrelated to specific speeches. Series Arrangement [arranged chronologically]

8. Speeches, 1952

   Box 1, Folder 6

9. “I Will Go To Korea”, October 24, 1952

   Box 1, Folder 7

10. Speeches, 1953

    Box 1, Folder 8-9

11. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1953

    Box 2, Folder 1

12. State of the Union, February 2, 1953

    Box 2, Folder 2-3

13. “The Chance for Peace”, April 16, 1953

    Box 2, Folder 4-5

14. Presidential Statements and Press Releases, 1953

    Box 2, Folder 6

15. Speeches, 1955

    Box 2, Folder 7-8

16. Speeches, 1956

    Box 3, Folder 1-5

17. Speeches, 1956

    Box 4, Folder 1

18. H-Bomb Statements, 1956

    Box 4, Folder 2

19. Presidential Statements and Press Releases, 1956

    Box 4, Folder 3

20. Speeches, 1957

    Box 4, Folder 4

21. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1957

    Box 4, Folder 5

22. Eisenhower Address to Nation on Foreign Aid, May 1957

    Box 4, Folder 6

23. Undated, circa 1950s

    Box 4, Folder 7

24. Series 3, General, 1940-1962 Series Description Series 3, General, 1940-1962, arranged alphabetically by topic, contains articles and dispatches written by Hughes for Time-Life, Inc., notes and book reviews related to his monographs, newspaper clippings on Hughes, and schedules, calendar pages and diary notes related to the Eisenhower administration. Photos found at the end of this series include those for Report from Spain, official Navy photos from the trip on the U.S.S. Helena to Korea with Eisenhower, and a set of general photos kept by Hughes. Series Arrangement [arranged alphabetically]

25. America the Vincible, 1957-1959

    Box 4, Folder 8

26. Articles, 1948-1962

    Box 4, Folder 9

27. Book Conclusion, Work Unknown, 1956-1962

    Box 4, Folder 10

28. Berlin Cable File, 1948

    Box 4, Folder 11

29. Berlin Cable File, 1948

    Box 5, Folder 1-2

30. The Church and the Liberal Society: Scrapbooks, 1944-1948

    Box 5, Folder 3

31. The Church and the Liberal Society, 1944-1947

    Box 5, Folder 4

32. Diary, 1953-1957

    Box 5, Folder 5

33. Dulles, John Foster, 1953, undated

    Box 5, Folder 6

34. Eisenhower, Dwight D., 1953-1958

    Box 5, Folder 7

35. Hughes, Emmet - Newspaper Clippings, 1940-1956

    Box 5, Folder 8

36. Hughes, Emmet - Personal, 1959-1960

    Box 5, Folder 9

37. McCarthy, 1953

    Box 6, Folder 1

38. “Memorandum From Europe”, 1953

    Box 6, Folder 2

39. Notes & Drafts: Britain, 1954

    Box 6, Folder 3

40. Notes & Drafts: Churchill, Winston, 1955-1956

    Box 6, Folder 4

41. Notes & Drafts: France, Pierre Mendes, 1954

    Box 6, Folder 5

42. Notes & Drafts: Italian Communist Party, 1947-1948

    Box 6, Folder 6

43. Notes & Drafts: Italy, 1947-1948, 1955

    Box 6, Folder 7-8

44. Notes & Drafts: Russia, 1953-1954

    Box 6, Folder 9-11

45. Notes & Drafts: Vatican, 1958

    Box 6, Folder 12

46. Notes: General, 1959-1960

    Box 6, Folder 13

47. Paris Dispatches - Time-Life, 1953

    Box 6, Folder 14

48. Report from Spain, 1943-1947

    Box 7, Folder 1-3

49. Report from Spain: Photographs and Documents, 1939-1946

    Box 7, Folder 4

50. Rockefeller, Nelson, 1960

    Box 7, Folder 5

51. Schedules, 1953, 1956

    Box 7, Folder 6-7

52. Trip to Korea, 1952

    Box 7, Folder 8

53. Navy Photographs Aboard the U.S.S. Helena, 1952

    Box 8, Folder 1

54. Photographs, General, circa 1940s-1950s

    Box 8, Folder 2

55. Report From Spain: Photographs and Negatives, circa 1940s

    Box 8, Folder 3

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Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/0c483j371

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