Inventory of the David Gordon George Papers, 1919-1976 and undated, bulk 1935-1965
Abstract
Resident of Richmond, Va., socialist and grassroots political activist in his early life; founder of the Southern Electoral Reform League; later sided with conservatives such as Barry Goldwater and George Wallace.
The David Gordon George Papers span the years 1919 to 1976, with the bulk of the collection dated between 1935 and 1965, and are organized into the Correspondence, Personal Files, Printed Materials and Writings, Photographic Materials, and Subject Files Series. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and files related to George's involvement in a variety of political and social movements, documenting his early involvement in grassroots socialist and leftist democratic organizing and electoral reform work, decades of involvement with national and regional labor organizations, and his late-life support of anti-communist and socially conservative politics, including segregationist platforms. His complex views on the political and social status of African Americans in the South, particularly in Virginia, are documented in his writings and correspondence. Among the organizations well-represented in the collection are the Southern Electoral Reform League, the Virginia Electoral Reform League, and the United States Information Service. The papers include correspondence with a wide spectrum of national political leaders, from Socialists (Norman Thomas and Victor Berger) to Democrats (Hubert Humphrey and Estes Kefauer) to Conservatives (George Wallace), as well as staff of diverse labor organizations and a number of Virginia politicians across a broad ideological spectrum. Acquired as part of the George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- George, David Gordon
- Title
- David Gordon George Papers, 1919-1976 and undated, bulk 1935-1965
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 6.9 Linear Feet, 3400 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Series Quick Links
- Correspondence Series, 1922-1975 and undated
- Subject Files Series, 1925-1973 and undated
- Personal Papers Series, 1925-1973 and undated
- Photographic Materials, 1926-1953 and undated
- Printed Materials and Writings Series, 1937-1974 and undated
- Scrapbooks, Ledgers, and Political Ephemera Series, 1919-1960 and undated
- Oversize Materials, 1927-1967
Collection Overview
The David Gordon George Papers span the years 1919 to 1976, with the bulk of the collection dated between 1935 and 1965, and are organized into the Correspondence, Personal Files, Printed Materials and Writings, Photographic Materials, and Subject Files Series. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and files related to George's involvement in a variety of political and social movements, documenting his early involvement in grassroots socialist and leftist democratic organizing and electoral reform work, decades of involvement with national and regional labor organizations, and his late-life support of anti-communist and socially conservative politics. His complex views on the political and social status of African Americans in the South, particularly in Virginia, are documented in his writings and correspondence. Among the organizations well-represented in the collection are the Southern Electoral Reform League, founded by George primarily to campaign against poll taxes, and the United States Information Service. The papers include files of correspondence with a wide spectrum of prominent national political leaders, from Socialists (Norman Thomas and Victor Berger) to Democrats (Hubert Humphrey and Estes Kefauer) to Conservatives (George Wallace), as well as staff of diverse labor organizations and a number of Virginia politicians across a broad ideological spectrum.
George's writings, including many editorials and letters to the editor, and correspondence reveal his complex and shifting allegiances to various reform organizations during particularly eventful decades for the labor movement in the U.S. His work for labor-related causes in different guises put him in at least tacit opposition to positions he had advocated earlier. He also offers often contradictory views on race, supporting local black politicians at one point but joining the segregationist Citizens Council later in his life. In addition, George's experiences during the McCarthy Era demonstrate the lasting professional consequences of the alleged Communist ties in his past.
Acquired as part of the George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Divided into Incoming and Political subgroupings. Incoming correspondence primarily consists of cards and personal letters from friends and family. While friends and colleagues in various political organizations discuss business matters in letters in this series, topics discussed are generally of a personal nature. A substantial number of letters are from men in the British armed forces, contacts apparently made while George was involved with the British Service Entertainment Committee in Richmond. The political correspondence contains letters to and from officials and their staff in the organizations with which George was involved through his life. Prominent national leaders with whom George corresponded include the socialist U.S. Congressmen Victor Berger and George M. Rhodes as well as Barry Goldwater, Estes Kefauer, and others. Substantial correspondence with Hubert Humphrey is also included. Additional notable national political figures include Norman Thomas, Upton Sinclair, Gardner Jackson, Arthur McDowell, Nelson Rockefeller, and George Wallace. In addition, George corresponded with a number of prominent Virginia politicians. Many of the letters in this section are testimonials to George's good character, though many also discuss specific political matters. Correspondence with staff and leaders of numerous labor and reform organizations complete the political letters subgrouping. Substantial additional correspondence can be found in the Subject Files Series and in the Personal Files Series. Materials are organized as received.
Contains files, clippings, and correspondence relevant to George's involvement with a number of interrelated causes and concerns, chiefly with Virginia politics. Included are materials concerning his races for seats in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1939 and 1941. George's work for political reform, particularly as founder of the Southern Electoral Reform League, is addressed primarily in the Electoral Reform subseries, though information on this topic can also be found in the subseries African American Virginians, and Elections. His interest in the labor movement in the United States and abroad is covered in the Labor subseries, with additional materials located in the Socialist Activites and War Production Board subseries. Researchers interested in the socialist movement in the South should consult materials in the Electoral Reform subseries as well as the Socialist Activites subseries. Papers in the African American Virginians subseries reveal George's complex views on race relations when coupled with materials in the Citizens Council subseries. Additional materials on this subject can be found in correspondence housed in the Personal Files series. George's work and interest in foreign relations can be found in the Foreign Affairs and British Service Entertainment Committee subseries. Substantial files and correspondence related to George's several-year foray into mineral prospecting can be found in the Mexico Mining Venture subseries. Organized alphabetically.
Comprises papers and correspondence from George's early school years through his final years of life. Debate materials and schoolwork as well as materials related to George's high school reunions are housed in this series. The bulk of the materials relate to George's employment history, particularly his struggles to secure a job with the U.S. government in his later life after being labeled a Communist by the FBI. Copies of George's applications to the U.S. Information Agency and subsequent complaints of bias during required background checks are housed in this series. Additional correspondence on this subject can be found in the political correspondence section. Legal complaints relating to a reference to him as a "socialist" in the newspaper and for wrongful termination are included as well. Finally, correspondence in this series includes a number of letters of complaints about service received at various institutions late in his life. Organized alphabetically by folder title.
Photographic Materials, 1926-1953 and undated
Consists of photographs of George and members of his family, as well as some photographs of George with some of his political contacts. Notable examples include photos of Eleanor Roosevelt and Hubert Humphrey, as well as an autographed photo of country and labor singer "Texas" Bill Strength. A number of vacation slides are housed in this collection as well. Organized as received.
Contains articles and drafts of articles written by George for newspapers and magazines as well as some scripts written for radio. Limited correspondence relating to George's attempts to get his work published in magazines is also included in this series. The majority of the articles in this series were written for Virginia newspapers, mainly the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Larger copies of and clippings from newspapers have been moved to Oversize Materials.
Contains membership and financial information in books for the Southern Electoral Reform League and Virginial Commonwealth League as well as a book of clippings and a scrapbook. The scrapbook chronicles the leisure aspects of George's travels to and within Britain. Menus and othe ephemera from the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary ocean liners as well as numerous photographs of on-board friends are included, as are numerous photographs of George and his hosts in Brighton, Woking, Bournemouth, and London as well as Scotland. In addition, some photographs document the English countryside and a few show damage incurred in cities during World War II. The scrapbook includes numerous clippings, product packaging, and travel and attraction tickets as well. Political ephemera, mostly pins, includes delegate pins to a several national labor meetings and buttons for political candidates, among them George Wallace.
Oversize Materials, 1927-1967
Comprises large items from other series. Numerous newspapers and large clippings related to elections and contemporary events, notably German aggression during the leadup to World War II are included. In addition, the bulk of the original copies of George's newspaper articles from the Printed Material and Writings series are housed in Oversize Materials. German language lesson worksheets completed by George via correspondence with the Pelman Institute are included as well.
Historical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1910 Apr. 5 | David Gordon George born to David Graves George and Maria Murphy George in Danville, Virginia |
| 1926-1928 | Worked for Socialist Party in Virginia and New York |
| 1927 | Graduated from Chester High School, Chester, Virginia |
| 1929-1930 | Attended Rand School of Social Science, New York, New York |
| 1934 | Formally broke from Socialist Party |
| 1936-1940 | Worker on family farm in Beaverdam, Virginia, and freelance writer for newspapers in Richmond, Virginia |
| 1939 | Founded Southern Electoral Reform League |
| 1939 | Ran for Virginia House of Delegates seat as an independent |
| 1941 | Ran for primary for Virginia House of Delegates seat as a Democrat |
| 1942-1945 | Virginia Labor Relations Representative for War Production Board |
| 1944-1945 | Chairman, Richmond British Service Entertainment Committee |
| 1945 | Managed Moss A. Plunkett's gubernatorial campaign in Virginia |
| 1946-1948 | Lectured in Great Britain, initially with U.S. Information Agency |
| 1950 | Upper South Political Action Director for Textile Workers Union of America |
| 1951-1953 | Worked for Wage Stabilization Board in Richmond, Virginia |
| 1954-1958 | Involved in mineral exploration venture in Chihuahua, Mexico |
| 1956 June 16 | Married Ana Maria Delgado in Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| 1957 | Twin daughters Ana Elizabeth and Maria Linda George born |
| 1959-1961 | Worked as a labor representative as part of a United Textile Workers Union strike in Henderson, NC |
| 1962 | Application for employment with U.S. Foreign Service rejected to due concerns of Communist sympathies |
| 1965-1969 | Worked for United Planning Organization in Washington, DC |
| 1970-1972 | Worked as a teacher and administrator at Bermuda Academy, Hopewell, Virginia |
| 1976 | Died in Richmond, Virginia |
Subject Headings
- George, David Gordon, 1910-1976.
- Berger, Victor L., 1860-1929.
- Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978.
- Kefauver, Estes, 1903-1963.
- Wallace, George C. (George Corley), 1919-1998.
- Thomas, Norman, 1884-1968.
- Southern Electoral Reform League.
- United States Information Agency.
- African Americans--Virginia.
- Anti-communist movements--United States.
- Conservatism--United States.
- Conservatism--United States--History.
- Conservatism--Southern States.
- Conservatism--Southern States--History.
- Election law--United States.
- Elections--United States.
- Elections--Virginia.
- Socialist parties--United States.
- Labor and laboring classes--Southern States.
- Labor--United States.
- Labor unions--Southern States.
- Labor unions--United States--1930-1970.
- Political activists--Southern States.
- Political activists--United States.
- Poll tax--Southern States.
- Poll tax--Virginia.
- Rhetoric--Poltical aspects--Southern States--History--20th century.
- Socialism--United States.
- Socialists--United States--Correspondence.
- Southern States--Economic conditions.
- Southern States--Politics and government--1865-1950.
- Southern States--Politics and government--1950-.
- Southern States--Race relations.
- Suffrage--Southern States.
- United States--Politics and government--1919-1933.
- United States--Politics and government--1933-1945.
- United States--Politics and government--1945-1989.
- Virginia--Politics and government--1865-1950.
- Virginia--Politics and government--1951-.
- Whites--Southern States--Politics and government--20th century.
- Clippings.
- Ephemera.
- Photographs.
- Scrapbooks.
- George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], David Gordon George Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The David Gordon George Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in May 2003.
Processing Information
Processed by Christian Ferney and Fuad Naeem, October 2007
Encoded by Elizabeth Arnold, Christian Ferney, and Fuad Naeem, October 2007
Accession 2003-0085 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
