Maureen Corr Papers, 1932-2001 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Title: Maureen Corr Papers, 1932-2001

Primary Creator: Maureen Corr

Extent: 3.34 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: The Papers of Maureen Corr is a collection in 3 series divided among administrative work for Eleanor Roosevelt, personal correspondence with the Roosevelt family, and printed material.

The Maureen Corr Papers contains original correspondence by Eleanor Roosevelt as well as Maureen Corr's personal correspondence about Mrs. Roosevelt, primarily after Eleanor Roosevelt's death in November 1962. Some official correspondence to other individuals also is included. The collection includes correspondence and itineraries related to Mrs. Roosevelt's trips abroad, 1951-1959, including instruction letters from Malvina Thompson, invitations and programs for dinners and events, and trip itineraries.Also included is a collection of Mrs. Roosevelt's income tax and financial information for the years 1932-1944.

The daily appointment diaries for Mrs. Roosevelt kept by Miss Corr for the years 1955-1962, as well as Mrs. Roosevelt's card index of names and addresses also are included in this collection. Of particular interest are three handwritten drafts of Mrs. Roosevelt's "My Day" columns and a typewritten draft of a fourth.

Miss Maureen Corr was born in Ireland in 1917 and came to the United States as a teenager.

In 1950, Miss Corr began working for Eleanor Roosevelt as Mrs. Roosevelt’s personal secretary, succeeding Mrs. Roosevelt’s long-time assistant Malvina (Tommy) Thompson. One of Miss Corr’s first duties was to accompany Mrs. Roosevelt on her several trips abroad. Over the next few years, Miss Corr accompanied Mrs. Roosevelt to Nepal, Pakistan, India, Israel, and the Soviet Union.

Among Miss Corr’s other duties were assisting Mrs. Roosevelt with correspondence, maintaining appointment diaries, and assisting Mrs. Roosevelt with her household. Miss Corr’s sister, Peg McIntyre, did sewing work for Mrs. Roosevelt, making dresses, pillowcases, and other linens.

After Mrs. Roosevelt’s death in November 1962, Miss Corr remained in contact with many members of the Roosevelt Family. She regularly attended Roosevelt-related events, and was a frequent speaker about Eleanor Roosevelt at Elderhostels and other programs.

Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

Access Restrictions: This collection is available for use by the general public.

Use Restrictions: Mrs. Corr’s copyright interest in these papers has been donated to the United States Government. Unpublished writings of Eleanor Roosevelt contained in this collection are not in the public domain, and copyright interest in such unpublished writings is retained by the Mrs. Roosevelt literary estate.

Acquisition Source: Maureen Corr

Acquisition Method: Eleanor Roosevelt’s appointment diaries, 1955-1962, originally were presented to the Library by Maureen Corr in 1973. Accretions to the collections were made through donations by Miss Corr in 1990, 1999, 2001, and 2003.

Related Materials: Papers of Eleanor Roosevelt; Photograph Collection