Lester Ziffren papers, 1933-1989

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Summary

Creators:
Ziffren, Lester
Abstract:
The Lester Ziffren papers contain materials relating to the Spanish Civil War. As Madrid bureau chief for United Press, Ziffren filed dispatches and made nightly radio broadcasts in which he described political, economic, and social conditions in Spain in the period prior to the outbreak of the Civil War and during the first six months of the conflict itself. The Speeches and Writings series of the papers contains compilations of Ziffren's articles and dispatches, as well as transcripts of his radio broadcasts. There are also two sets of diary entries in the series, including his diary from the opening months of the Civil War, and several later articles in which Ziffren recounts his experiences as a war correspondent.
Extent:
8 manuscript boxes (3.3 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lester Ziffren Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Lester Ziffren papers contain significant materials relating to the Spanish Civil War. As Madrid bureau chief for United Press, Ziffren filed dispatches and made nightly radio broadcasts in which he described political, economic, and social conditions in Spain in the period prior to the outbreak of the Civil War and during the first six months of the conflict itself. The Speeches and writings contains compilations of Ziffren's articles and dispatches, as well as transcripts of his radio broadcasts. There are also two sets of diary entries in the series, including his diary from the opening months of the Civil War, and several later articles in which Ziffren recounts his experiences as a war correspondent.

The Biographical file series contains clippings and an interview with Ziffren about his time in Spain. The Writings by others contains articles on the Spanish Civil War written by other correspondents and a diary kept by Tomás Caro, a volunteer in the Republican army. The Printed matter series of the papers is comprised of materials largely relating to the Civil War. It includes numerous clippings from Spanish, English and American newspapers, as well as bulletins and serial issues pertaining to the conflict. Additionally, there are some monographs and other printed matter relating to Spain in the Franco era. The Photographs contains prints depicting scenes of the Civil War, as well as prints that depict cities, towns, and rural life in Spain.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1906
Born, Rock Island, Illinois
1927
Graduated from the University of Missouri's journalism school
1933-1936
Bureau chief for United Press in Madrid, Spain
1937-1940
Worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood
1941-1945
Public relations officer, U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile
1961-1971
Public relations director, Kennecott Copper Corporation
2007
Died
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1990.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 6 series: Biographical file; Cables sent to United Press; Speeches and writings; Writings by others on the Spanish Civil War; Printed matter relating to Spain and the Spanish Civil War; Photographs

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Lester Ziffren Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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