Vladimir Milanović papers, 1868-1972

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Milanović, Vladimir J., 1896-1972
Abstract:
Contains writings, diaries, correspondence, notes, bulletins, printed matter, and photographs, relating to Yugoslav foreign relations, especially during World War II, postwar conditions in Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav émigré affairs. Includes memoirs entitled "Iz nedavne prošlosti" relating to Yugoslav relations with Germany and Bulgaria, 1939-1941, prior to the German invasion of Yugoslavia and draft notes for an English-Serbian dictionary. Also available on microfilm (18 reels).
Extent:
13 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box (5.5 Linear Feet)
Language:
Mainly in Serbo-Croatian
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Scope and content:

The papers relate to the foreign relations of Royal Yugoslavia, especially during World War II, Bulgarian internal and foreign affairs, the Macedonian issue, German aspirations in the Balkan region, postwar conditions in Yugoslavia, and Yugoslav émigré affairs. They include memoirs entitled "Iz nedavne prošlosti," describing Yugoslav relations with Germany and Bulgaria from 1939 to 1941, prior to the German invasion of Yugoslavia, and draft notes for an English-Serbian dictionary.

Milanović's handwritten Diaries in Serbo-Croatian provide a private perspective on his daily routine and social life from 1938 to 1968. A Biographical file provides information on Milanović's family background, personal life, and career. Documents record the family inheritance from Smederevo and the death of Milanović's brother, Alekandar. The Correspondence includes exchanges with his close personal friends, Yugoslav émigré members, family members, particularly his nephew Milorad M. Drachkovitch (Drašković), and members of the Serbian Orthodox community in the United Kingdom.

The Speeches and writings are comprised of draft fragments, books, articles, booklets, open letters, and notes on topics related to his memoir and a considerable number of handwritten notes on English and Serbian words in preparation for a draft of an English-Serbian dictionary. Speeches and writings by others contain Milorad M. Drachkovitch's writings addressing issues related to the political system in post-war Yugoslavia and writings by others reflecting on the events in Yugoslavia during World War II, as well as developments in post-war Yugoslavia.

The Royal Yugoslav government office file consists of records Milanović collected during his diplomatic career with the Royal Yugoslav government, organised by posting. Embassy reports provide detailed information on the Royal Yugoslav government's diplomatic affairs in Bulgaria and Germany, and especially address Bulgarian politics, the Macedonian issue, and German aspirations in the Balkan region prior to World War II. Additional records document the émigrés who served the Royal Yugoslav government in London during World War II and were not able to return to Yugoslavia for political reasons.

The Photographs depict Milanović's official engagements and events during his diplomatic career, his private social life, as well as family members and personal friends. The Oversize materials contain documents on Milanović's inheritance from Smederevo in Serbia, degrees, and employment certificates. Also included are materials from the Royal Yugoslav government embassy in Bulgaria transferring the office to the new ambassador, and inventory lists of the embassy offices in Sofia and Varna, Bulgaria.

The Printed Matter consists of newspapers, journals, press releases, clippings and other materials providing daily news of developments in Yugoslavia and Europe during World War II, and the views and reflections on political and economic conditions in post-war Yugoslavia.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1896
Born, Smederevo, Serbia
1906-1914
Educated in Smederevo and Belgrade, Serbia
1919
Received a diploma, specialized in diplomacy from the Ecole Libre des Science Politiques
1922
Passed doctoral exams at the Faculté de Droit, Université de Paris, France
1924
Royal Yugoslav second secretary at the embassy in
1935
Royal Yugoslav ambassador in Sofia, Bulgaria
1939-1940
Royal Yugoslav chargé d'affaires to Switzerland
1940-1941
Royal Yugoslav ambassador in Sofia, Bulgaria
1941-1944
Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile secretary general of the Foreign Ministry, London, United Kingdom
1944
Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile delegate to the Allied Commission
1944-1945
Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile ambassador to Belgium and Luxemburg
1945-1972
Settled in London; active member of the Yugoslav émigré community
1972
Died
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1970.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into nine series: Diaries, Biographical file, Correspondence, Speeches and writings, Speeches and writings by others, Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile office file, Photographs, Printed matter and Oversized materials

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], Vladimir Milanović 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