Inventory of the Javier Benedet papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2012
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Javier Benedet papers
Date (inclusive): 1900-1977
Collection Number: 2013C11
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: The collection is in Spanish with some materials in English
Physical Description:
22 manuscript boxes, 10 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder
(14.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The Javier Benedet papers contain significant materials relating to the Spanish Civil War and to fundraising efforts in Northern
California on behalf of the Republican side in that conflict. The papers also provide documentation on the plight of Republican
refugees in the aftermath of the Civil War and on the political life of the Spanish anti-fascist diaspora in France, Mexico,
and other countries.
Creator:
Benedet, Javier, 1904-1990
Creator:
Acción Demócrata Española
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Boxes FH13 and FH15 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.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2012.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Javier Benedet papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
| 1904 |
Born, Siete Iglesias, Valladolid, Spain |
| 1910-1925 |
Lives in Mexico and is apprenticed as a bullfighter |
| 1925-1969 |
Works as a waiter in San Francisco, California |
| 1930s-1970s |
Secretary, Acción Demócrata Española. Active in fundraising on behalf of the Spanish Republic |
| 1969-1985 |
Works as a bartender in Mill Valley, California |
| 1990 |
Died |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Javier Benedet papers contain significant materials relating to the Spanish Civil War and to fundraising efforts in Northern
California on behalf of the Republican side in that conflict. The papers also provide documentation on the plight of Republican
refugees in the aftermath of the Civil War and on the political life of the Spanish anti-fascist diaspora in France, Mexico,
and other countries. In terms of volume, the Benedet papers presently constitute the second largest collection (after the
Burnett Bolloten papers) in the archives pertaining to the Spanish Civil War.
In the 1930s, Benedet was a founding member of Acción Demócrata Española, a political organization based in San Francisco
and comprised largely of Spanish expatriates and immigrants. During the civil war that engulfed Spain in 1936-1939, the organization
campaigned on behalf of the Spanish Republic and against the rightwing forces headed by Francisco Franco. By means of public
appeals, festivals, and concerts, Acción Demócrata Española raised money that was sent to Republican Spain in aid of children
affected by the war and, when the conflict was over, on behalf of Spanish refugees in France and elsewhere. Affiliated with
the Sociedades Hispanas Aliadas, Acción Demócrata Española participated in the political life of the Spanish emigration in
North America, maintaining a general anti-fascist orientation amidst the often bitter divisions among Spanish Republican factions.
Its fundraising activities continued into the 1970s.
As secretary of Acción Demócrata Española in San Francisco, Benedet played a key role both within the organization and as
its public representative within the Hispanic community of Northern California. The
organizational records series includes correspondence, minutes of meetings, and publicity materials used in the fundraising efforts of Acción Demócrata
Española. There are a small number of writings by Benedet in the
speeches and writings series. In addition to a number of monographs and pamphlets relating to Spanish politics, the large
printed matter series contains copies of the many journals and newspapers received by Benedet before, during, and after the Spanish Civil
War. These materials reflect a wide spectrum of political thought on the Republican side and include anarchist, socialist,
communist, and independent publications. Also included in this series are numerous issues of
España libre, the newspaper of the Sociedades Hispanas Confederadas in the United States and a major forum for Spanish Republican opinion
after the end of the civil war.
The collection also contains a number of posters relating to the Spanish Civil War and to various fiestas in Northern California
organized by Acción Demócrata Española. There is also an original artwork by a child depicting a scene of aerial combat during
the civil war.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into 6 series: Organizational records; Speeches and writings; Photographs; Printed matter; Oversize
materials; Oversize folder.
Related Materials
Burnett Bolloten papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Leo Eloesser papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Spain -- History -- Civil War, 1936-1939
Spaniards -- United States
Spain -- History -- Civil War, 1936-1939 -- Refugees
Spain -- Emigration and immigration
Organizational records
1932-1976
Scope and Contents note
Contains correspondence, financial records, minutes of meetings, publicity materials, and reports relating to Acción Demócrata
Española and other organizations
box 1, folder 1
Comité de Acción Republicana Española, minutes of meetings and printed matter
1932-1933
Acción Demócrata Española
Correspondence and financial records
1942-1968
Fundraising records and publicity materials
1961-1974
Minutes of meetings
1942-1945
Correspondence, financial records, and reports
1939-1976
Correspondence, financial records, and reports
1936-1973
Sociedades Hispanas Aliadas
1938-1940
Acción Demócrata Española
1937-1968
Brochures, leaflets, newsletters, and programs
1939-1949
box 4, folder 6
Reports and publicity materials
1937-1939
Financial records, minutes, and reports
1937-1950
box 6, folder 1
Leaflets and announcements
1942-1945
box 6, folder 5-8
Miscellaneous programs and publicity materials
1930-1975
box 6, folder 9
Speeches and writings
1929-1960
Scope and Contents note
Contains articles and speeches by Javier Benedet
Printed matter
1900-1977
Scope and Contents note
Largely relating to the Spanish Civil War and Spanish politics, contains bulletins and newsletters; clippings; monographs;
pamphlets; and serial issues
Bulletins and newsletters
Spanish Newsletter
1951-1960
box FH13
General
Access
Box FH13 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
box 13, folder 10
Acción Socialista
1957-1960
box FH15
Comunismo
1933-1934
Access
Box FH15 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
Separated Materials
Box 14:1-2 was removed and placed in Box FH15 for mold remediation treatment.
box 14, folder 3
Correspondencia internacional
1932-1935
box 14, folder 5-31
Documentos politicos
1928-1929
box 15, folder 1
España dia a dia
1939-1940
box 17, folder 1
Facetas de actualidad
1938-1940
Hispano americano
1954-1961
box 21, folder 1
Ibérica por la libertad
1960-1962
box 21, folder 2
Internacional comunista
1933
box 21, folder 4
La Līberecana sīntezo
1938
box 21, folder 5
Masses & Mainstream
1952-1953
box 21, folder 7
Nuestra bandera
1974-1975
box 22, folder 2
Revista universal
1934-1935
box 22, folder 4
Tierra y libertad (Mexico)
1956-1960
Oversize materials
1929-1976
Scope and Contents note
Contains serial issues, calendars, drawing, musical score, political button, posters and proclamations, and tickets
box 24, folder 2
Izquierda republicana
1957-1959
box 24, folder 4
México antifranquista
1947-1948
box 24, folder 7
Nueva república
1955-1958
box 29, folder 4
Cultura proletaria
1938-1953
box 30, folder 4
La Nouvelle Espagne antifasciste
1938
box 30, folder 7
El Socialista (Madrid)
1934
box 30, folder 8
El Socialista (Toulouse)
1958-1961
Solidaridad obrera (Barcelona)
1932-1938
box 31, folder 3
Solidaridad obrera (Mexico City)
1946-1962
box 31, folder 4
Solidaridad obrera (Paris)
1956-1960
Tierra y libertad (Barcelona)
1937-1938
box 31, folder 8
Tierra y libertad (Mexico City)
1945-1956
box 31, folder 9
Voz de los españoles
1939
box 32, folder 1
Calendars published by the Sociedades Hispanas Confederadas and Solidaridad Internacional Antifascista
1939-1948
box 32, folder 2
Child's drawing depicting a scene from the Spanish Civil War
1937
box 32, folder 3
"Himno de la República," musical score transcribed by Felipe Osta
1939
box 32, folder 4
Political button with slogan in support of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
1937
Posters and proclamations
1936-1976
box 32, folder 8
Tickets for fundraising events sponsored by Acción Demócrata Española and the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade
1948-1965
map_case
Posters
1937-1943
Scope and Contents note
Contains five posters relating to the Spanish Civil War and a solidarity campaign in Mexico on behalf of Spanish refugees
