Rexford G. Tugwell Papers, 1911-1972 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Collection Overview
Title: Rexford G. Tugwell Papers, 1911-1972
Primary Creator: Rexford G. Tugwell (1891-1979)
Extent: 60.56 Cubic Feet
Arrangement:
The Tugwell Papers are divided into five series as follows:
Series 1: General Correspondence, 1927-1962
Series 2: Diaries, 1932-1961 and Related Materials
Series 3: Subject Files
Series 4: Speech and Writings File, 1911-1979
Series 5: Clippings, Scrapbooks and Memorabilia
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
Biographical Timeline:
1891, July 10 Born, Sinclairville, New York
1911-1915 Attended Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, University of Pennsylvania
1915-1918 Taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Washington
1918 Served as manager of American University Union in Europe
1920 Began teaching at Columbia University
1922 Awarded doctorate from University of Pennsylvania
1932 Became a member of the “Brains Trust”
1933 Appointed Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
1934 Appointed Under Secretary of Agriculture
1935 Director of the Resettlement Administration
1936 Resigned from the Department of Agriculture
1937 Resigned from Columbia University and became a vice president of the American Molasses Co.
1938 Appointed Chairman of the Planning Department of the New York City Planning Commission
1941 Appointed Chancellor of the University of Puerto Rico
1942 Appointed Governor of Puerto Rico and member of the Caribbean Commission
1946 Became professor of economics and director of the Institute of Planning at the University of Chicago
1949 Acted as visiting professor of political science at the London School of Economics
1957 Retired for the University of Chicago and the Caribbean Commission
1959 Served as Hillman Lecturer at Howard University
1961-1964 Acted as Puerto Rican development counselor
1962-1963 Taught at Columbia University Summer Session
1964-1965 Was counselor for the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
1965-1966 Served as research professor in political science at the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale
1966-1979 Served as senior fellow in political science at the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions
1979 Died July 21, 1979
Biography:
Rexford Guy Tugwell was born in Sinclairville, New York, on July 10, 1891, and grew up in the rural areas of western New York. He was educated at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania, obtaining his doctorate in economics from that institution in 1922.
Throughout most of his adult life, Tugwell was associated with the academic community. In 1932 he had an opportunity to put his economic theories to practical use. With two Columbia colleagues, Raymond Moley and Adolf Berle, he became a member of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Brains Trust”. Among other things, he was involved in planning the Agriculture Adjustment Act. Tugwell was a champion of the public interest and advocated more government control over business. His strong opinions and aversion to compromise made him a very controversial figure and a target for critics during his years in public life.
In 1933, Tugwell was appointed an assistant secretary in the Department of Agriculture. He soon became involved in an attempt to reform the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. A year later he was made Under Secretary of Agriculture and, in 1935, Director of the Resettlement Administration. His particular interest was in suburban resettlement which was relfected in his plan to introduce the concept of greenbelt towns.
After the 1936 election, Tugwell resigned from the Government. Following a brief stint as vice president of the American Molasses Company, he was appointed chairman of the planning department of the New York City Planning Commission in 1938. In this post, Tugwell displayed both a thorough knowledge of planning and a talent for administration which won for him the admiration of his colleagues. He was also able to use the talents effectively as governor of Puerto Rico. When he was appointed governor in 1942, plans for a socio-economic revolution in Puerto Rico had already been made. Tugwell’s greatest contribution was in helping to set up a strong and efficient administration to serve as a base for the revolution. He was the last colonial governor appointed to office. After his term in office the citizens of Puerto Rico were given the power to elect their own public officials.
Tugwell returned to teaching in 1946, becoming professor of political science and director of the Institute of Planning at the University of Chicago. He continued to serve as a member of the Caribbean Commission and as an advisor on Puerto Rican affairs.
In 1957, Tugwell retired from the University of Chicago and from the Caribbean Commission but remained active as a lecturer and writer. The many books he wrote include The Stricken Land, 1946; A Chronicle of Jeopardy, 1955; The Democratic Roosevelt, 1957; The Enlargement of the Presidency, 1960; The Light of Other Days, 1962; F.D.R.: Architect of an Era, 1967; The Brains Trust, 1968; and In Search of Roosevelt, 1972. Tugwell was affiliated with the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara, California for 1957 until his death on July 21, 1979.
Administrative Information
Repository: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
Accruals: A large accretion to the papers, received in 1982, has been integrated into the files. A list of material added is found in the back of the finding aid. Books which accompanied the Tugwell Papers have been placed in the book collection of the Library.
Access Restrictions: This collection is available for use by the general public.
Use Restrictions: Mrs. Tugwell has reserved to herself for her lifetime, copyright interests in the unpublished manuscripts; otherwise Dr. and Mrs. Tugwell’s copyright interest has been donated to the United States Government. Mrs. Grace Tugwell died March 23, 2001.
Acquisition Source: Rexford G. Tugwell
Acquisition Method: The Papers were presented to the Library by Rexford G. Tugwell.
Related Materials: President’s Official File 1 and 1K (Department of Agriculture), President’s Official File 6S (Department of Interior: Division of Territories and Island Possessions), President’s Official File 208DD (Puerto Rico), President’s Official File 400-Federal Appointments: Puerto Rico; President’s Personal File 564 (Tugwell), President’s Secretary’s File: Puerto Rico, President’s Secretary’s File: Department of Agriculture: Tugwell, President’s Secretary’s File: Tugwell, Rexford G., Ezekiel Papers, Gardner Jackson Papers, Morgenthau Diaries, Taussig Papers, Wallace Papers, Columbia Oral History Transcript on microfiche, Fragmentary tapes and transcripts of the Tugwell Oral History Project at Warm Springs, Wickard Papers.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: General Correspondence, 1927-1979],
[Series 2: Tugwell Diaries and Related Materials, 1932-1961],
[Series 3: Subject Files],
[Series 4: Speech and Writing File, 1911-1979],
[Series 5: Clippings, Scrapbooks and Memorabilia],
[All]
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Series 5: Clippings, Scrapbooks and Memorabilia - Consists of mostly unarranged clippings, scrapbooks, diplomas, awards and souvenirs relating to Tugwell's activities, political life and travels. Most of the scrapbooks in this series contain newspaper clippings that were of interest to Tugwell. Political cartoons and books reviews related to Tugwell's professional activities can be found within most of the "Clippings" folders. Assorted Puerto Rican press newspapers, both with English and Spanish text, can be found in the "Clippings" folders as well. Additional oversize clippings can be found in Oversize container 111.
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Box 111 -
Box 112 -
Box 113 -
Clippings: The Battle for Democracy, 1935 -
Clippings: Resignation, 1936 -
Spanish and English Language Puerto Rican Press, August-September 1942 -
Spanish Language Puerto Rican Press, September 1942 -
Clippings: Miscellaneous -
Scrapbook of Clippings -
University of Chicago Press Duplicate Clippings, August-September 1955
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Box 114 -
Box 115 -
Box 116 -
Box 117 -
Box 118 -
Box 119 -
Box 120 -
Box 121 -
Box 122 -
Box 123
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Browse by Series:
[Series 1: General Correspondence, 1927-1979],
[Series 2: Tugwell Diaries and Related Materials, 1932-1961],
[Series 3: Subject Files],
[Series 4: Speech and Writing File, 1911-1979],
[Series 5: Clippings, Scrapbooks and Memorabilia],
[All]