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University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Edgar N. Johnson Papers 1930-1966

© 2007 University of Chicago Library

Descriptive Summary

Title:

Johnson, Edgar N. . Papers

Dates:

1930-1966

Size:

.75 linear feet (2 boxes)

Repository:

Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.

Abstract:

Born in Chicago in 1901, Edgar N. Johnson was a University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate student in history. He served on the history faculties of University of Nebraska, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts. From 1943-1946, he served in the Office of Strategic Services in England and continental Europe. This collection contains letters written home to his family during this period, as well as biographical material, photographs, and incoming correspondence.

Information on Use

Access

Open for research. No restrictions.

Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Edgar N. Johnson. Papers, [Box #, Folder #] , Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Born in Chicago in 1901, Edgar N. Johnson was a University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate student in history, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1922 and completing his dissertation ca. 1928-1931. In 1931, he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Nebraska.

From 1943 to 1946, Johnson served in post World War II Austria, Germany, England, and Italy with the Office of Strategic Services. During this time, Johnson wrote lengthy, detailed letters to his family, describing his day-to-day experiences in post-War Europe.

After leaving the service, Johnson served on the history faculties of University of Nebraska, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts. He died in 1969 in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Scope Note

This collection consists primarily of Edgar N. Johnson's letters to his family, written between 1944 and 1946. These letters are organized first by the location from which they were written, including New York City, London, and continental European locations. The letters are then organized roughly by date. The remainder of collection contains a variety of other material including biographical information, incoming correspondence (some with transcriptions and translations from German by a friend of Johnson's family), and photographs. Striking among these photographs are contact sheets showing the discovery of concentration camps, as well as Johnson's snapshots of the European cities and sites he visited.

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Subject Headings

INVENTORY

Box 1   Folder 1

New York City, outgoing correspondence, 1944

Box 1   Folder 2-3

London, outgoing correspondence, 1944

Box 1   Folder 4

London, outgoing correspondence, 1944-1945

Box 1   Folder 5

Casserta, Italy, outgoing correspondence, 1945

Box 1   Folder 6-7

Austria, outgoing correspondence, 1945

Box 1   Folder 8-10

Berlin, outgoing correspondence, 1946

Box 2   Folder 1

Berlin, outgoing correspondence, 1946

Box 2   Folder 2

Incoming correspondence, 1930-1935

Box 2   Folder 3

Biographical material, incoming correspondence and transcriptions, 1936-1996

Box 2   Folder 4

Biographical material and transcribed incoming correspondence, 1937-1944

Box 2   Folder 5

Biographical material, correspondence and transcriptions, 1938- 1953

Box 2   Folder 6

Incoming correspondence, 1944-1945

Box 2   Folder 7

Incoming correspondence, 1944-1946

Box 2   Folder 8

Incoming correspondence and government documents, 1945-1949

Box 2   Folder 9

Incoming correspondence, 1946

Box 2   Folder 10

Concentration camp discovery, contact sheets, ca. 1945

Box 2   Folder 11

Photographs of Italy, Germany and Austria, 1944-1946

Box 2   Folder 12

Personal photographs, ca. 1940s-1950s

Box 2   Folder 13

"Five Months in Berlin," photocopy of typescript, n.d.