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Title: John A. Davenport papers
Date (inclusive): 1919-1987
Collection Number: 99018
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
60 manuscript boxes
(25.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Writings, correspondence, notes, memoranda, and printed matter relating to economic conditions in the United States, laissez-faire
and conservative political thought, right-to-work issues, and political conditions in southern Africa, especially Zimbabwe
and South Africa.
Creator:
Davenport, John, 1904-1987
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Box FH12 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials
must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection,
they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives from John A. Davenport's widow, Marie Davenport, in 1999.
[Identification of item], John A. Davenport papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1904, September 11 | Born, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 1926 | Graduated from Yale University |
| 1927-1930 | Reporter, New York World |
| 1937-1949 | Member of staff, Fortune magazine |
| 1941-1949 | Member, Board of Editors, Fortune magazine |
| 1945 | Author, The Lives of Winston Churchill |
| 1949-1954 | Managing editor, Barron's weekly |
| 1954-1969 | Assistant managing editor, Fortune magazine |
| 1964 | Author, The U.S. Economy |
| 1987 June | Died, Red Bank, New Jersey |
The John A. Davenport papers relate mainly to Davenport's career as economist, author, and journalist from 1927 until his
death in 1987. His position as editor at
Barron's weekly and
Fortune provided a fruitful venue for his widely read writings.
The bulk of the collection consists of holographs, typescripts, and printed copies of these writings. They relate mainly to
American and international economic policy, economic planning, the gold standard, labor unions, labor law, Rhodesia, South
Africa, and welfare economics. Included are many speeches on the same topics.
Of significant importance is Davenport's correspondence with prominent economists and politicians, such as Milton Friedman,
Friedrich von Hayek, Jesse Helms, Henry Kissinger, and Karl von Wiegand, which reflects his life-long interest in the economy
and political life of the United States.
The Mont Pèlerin Society, the National Right to Work Committee, and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Committee files
are smaller but equally important parts of the collection. The Mont Pèlerin Society file consists of materials on meetings,
newsletters, and Davenport's speeches and writings as a member of the Society. The National Right to Work Committee and the
National Right to Work Legal Defense Committee files consist of materials relating to the labor question in the United States
and reflect Davenport's contribution to both organizations.
Of special note in the Subject File is material relating to Rhodesia and South Africa. The Rhodesian materials reflect the
economic and political conditions before the advent of Zimbabwe. The South African materials provide an especially interesting
source for the study of economic policy and apartheid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Free enterprise
Conservatism
Journalists
Zimbabwe -- History -- 1965-1980
United States -- Economic conditions -- 1945-
Open and closed shop -- United States
Africa, Southern
South Africa -- History -- 1961-1994