Finding Aid for the Currin V. Shields Papers, 1953-1957
Processed by Dan Luckenbill; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé
© 2004
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid for the Currin V. Shields Papers, 1953-1957
Collection number: 2058
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Los Angeles, CA
- Processed by:
- Dan Luckenbill, August 1975
- Encoded by:
- Caroline Cubé, June 2004
- Online finding aid edited by:
- Josh Fiala, June 2004
© 2004 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Currin V. Shields Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1953-1957
Collection number: 2058
Creator:
Shields, Currin V.
Extent:
1 box (0.5 linear ft.)
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Abstract: Currin V. Shields (b.1918) was an instructor at Yale University (1947-50), assistant professor at UCLA (1950-60), and professor,
head of the department of government and director of the Institute of Government Research at the University of Arizona (1960-
). He was also active in local Democratic organizations and the California Democratic Council (CDC) serving as co-chairman
of CDC's Political Action Committee (1955-57) and president of the West Valley Democratic Club (1957). His publications include
Democracy and Catholicism in America (1958) and
Democratic government in America (1965). The collection consists of correspondence, publications, meeting agendas and minutes, reports, and ephemera relating
to Democratic political organizations and activities in California and the nation.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including
copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds
the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Restrictions on Access
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Currin V. Shields.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Currin V. Shields Papers (Collection 2058). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young
Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
UCLA Catalog Record ID
Biography
Currin V. Shields was born on February 18, 1918 in LaPorte, Indiana; AB, University of Nebraska, 1941; Ph.M, University of
Wisconsin, 1943; Ph.D, Yale University, 1950; instructor, Yale University, 1947-50; assistant professor, UCLA, 1950-60; professor,
head of the department of government, and director of the Institute of Government Research, University of Arizona, beginning
in 1960; was active in local Democratic organizations and the beginnings of the California Democratic Council (CDC); served
as co-chairman of CDC's Political Action Committee (1955-57) and became president of the West Valley Democratic Club in 1957;
publications include
Democracy and Catholicism in America (1958) and
Democratic government in America (1965).
Biographical Narrative
Currin Vance Shields (1918- ) was a professor of political science at UCLA and was active in local Democratic organizations
and the beginnings of the California Democratic Council. He was president of the West Valley Democratic Club in 1957 and co-chairman
of CDC's Political Action Committee, 1955-1957.
These papers were a gift to the library from Mr. Shields and can be used in connection with the other CDC collections housed
in the Department of Special Collections, collections which document California grass roots politics of the 1950s and 1960s.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of correspondence, publications, meeting agendas and minutes, reports, and ephemera relating to Democratic
political organizations and activities in California and the nation. Organizations include the Los Angeles County Democratic
Central Committee, the West Valley Democratic Club, and the California Democratic Council (CDC).
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Shields, Currin V.--Archives.
California Democratic Council.
Political science teachers--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources.
Political activists--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources.
Personal Political. [1953-1957]
Scope and Content Note
Materials not relating directly to any organization of which Shields was a member.
Box 1, Folder 1
Correspondence. 1953, 1957.
Box 1, Folder 2
Letters concerning and typescripts of statements on politics. 1955 and n.d.
Box 1, Folder 3
Pertaining to low-level campaign organization for Kefauver for president. 1955.
Creator/Collector: Kefauver, Estes
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from Kefauver.
Box 1, Folder 4
Miscellaneous campaign and political mailing sent to Shields. 1955, 1957, and n.d.
Democratic Central Committee and Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, [1955-1957 and n.d.]
Box 1, Folder 5
Memos, announcements, copy of By-laws, etc. 1955-1957 and n.d.
West Valley Democratic Club, [1955-1957]
Box 1, Folder 6
Calendar and announcement of meetings. 1955-1957.
Box 1, Folder 7
Newsletter. Title varies; usually called:
West Valley Democrat. 1953-1957.
Physical Description: Incomplete.
Other Valley Democratic Organizations, [ca. 1955-1957]
Box 1, Folder 12
By-laws, mimeographed mailings. ca. 1955.
Creator/Collector: West Valley Forum for Democratic Women
Box 1, Folder 13
Includes samples of newsletters from Democratic Club and Van Nuys Democratic Club. ca. 1956-1957.
Creator/Collector: Miscellaneous Groups
22nd Congressional District, California Democratic Council, [1955-1957 and n.d.]
Box 1, Folder 14
Organizational materials. Standing rules, Executive council; form for roster; By-laws, etc. 1955.
Box 1, Folder 15
Agendas, announcements, and minutes of General meetings and Executive board. 1955.
Box 1, Folder 16
Agendas, announcements, and minutes of General meetings and Executive board. 1957.
Box 1, Folder 17
Correspondence. 1956-1957 and n.d.
Scope and Content Note
Primarily concerning delegates to CDC conventions.
Box 1, Folder 18
Miscellaneous. Memos, correspondence, rosters for CDC convention delegates, etc. ca. 1955-1957.
California Democratic Council, [1955]
Convention, Fresno. 1955 (2nd annual)
Box 1, Folder 19
Rosters of delegates from 22nd CD.
Box 1, Folder 20
Announcement, programs, etc.
Box 1, Folder 21
Correspondence. May-December 1955.
Creator/Collector: Political Action Committee
Box 1, Folder 22
Proposal by Currin Shields.
Creator/Collector: Political Action Committee
Box 1, Folder 23
Includes copy of CDC Constitution and By-laws as amended to March 20, 1955.
Creator/Collector: By-laws Committee
Box 1, Folder 24
Drafts of resolutions, resolutions published after convention, etc.
Creator/Collector: Miscellaneous Committees
Convention, Long Beach. 1957 (called Fifth annual on printed program)
Box 1, Folder 25
Rosters of delegates from 22nd CD.
Box 1, Folder 26
Printed programs, By-laws, etc.
Box 1, Folder 27
Memos, drafts, resolutions, etc.
Creator/Collector: Political Action Committee
Box 1, Folder 28
Legislative letter. Mimeographed newsletter from Frank Hart, chairman of Committee on Political Action. April-May 1957.
Creator/Collector: Political Action Committee
Box 1, Folder 29
Miscellaneous memos, resolutions, reports, etc.