Cousins (Norman) papers, 1924-1994
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Norman Cousins papers
- Dates:
- 1924-1994
- Creators:
- Cousins, Norman
- Abstract:
- Correspondence, writings, notes, printed matter, and audiovisual material, relating to journalism and to advocacy of peace, disarmament and world federation.
- Extent:
- 22 manuscript boxes, 8 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 3 motion picture film reels, media (16.0 Linear Feet)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Norman Cousins Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Norman Cousins papers include correspondence, writings, notes, printed matter, and audiovisual material related to journalism and to advocacy of peace, disarmament, and world federation.
Norman Cousins was a Saturday Review editor-in-chief, peace advocate, and unofficial diplomat. During his tenure at the Saturday Review, Cousins wrote passionately in support of peace and the need for nuclear disarmament. In addition to his editorial work, Cousins was the president of the World Federalist Association, as well as chairman of the Committee for Sane Nuclear Policy. His activism culminated in his nomination as the unofficial ambassador between the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Holy See during the Kennedy Administration.
The papers document his work on behalf of peace. The collection includes Correspondence with politicians, scientists, world leaders, and other significant figures of the twentieth century, including George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Albert Einstein, Gerald R. Ford, Indira Gandhi, Hubert H. Humphrey, Lyndon B. Johnson, Helen Keller, John F. Kennedy, Jawaharlal Nehru, Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Albert Schweitzer, Adlai E. Stevenson, Harry S. Truman, and U. Thant.
The Subject File includes a copy of the papal encyclical of Pope John XXVIII entitled Pacem in Terris, signed on the title page by Nikita Khrushchev. The encyclical was a gift to Khrushchev from the pope, hand delivered by Norman Cousins in April 1963 during a diplomatic mission. The file also includes a Russian fable inscribed by John F. Kennedy. In addition, documentation of the sale of the Saturday Review can be found in this file, as well as the first issue of World Magazine, which Cousins founded in 1972. Also included are writings of Albert Schweitzer.
Cousins visited Albert Schweitzer at his hospital in Lambarene, Gabon, and wrote extensively about Schweitzer's life and mission. The Photographs include photographic prints of Schweitzer's journal, correspondence, and two manuscripts.
Researchers should note that a substantial amount of Norman Cousins material can be found in his collection at the University of California, Los Angeles.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Date Event 1915 Born in New Jersey1933 Graduated from Columbia University Teachers College1934-1935 Education Writer, New York Evening Post1935-1940 Served as a book critic, literary editor, and managing editor of Current History magazine1940 Joined the Saturday Review as executive editor1942-1971 Editor-in-Chief, Saturday Review1952- President, United World Federalists1943-1945 Editor and member of editorial board of the United States Office of War Information1953 Author, Who Speaks for Man?1957-1963 Chairman and Founding Member, National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (SANE)1958 Author, In God We Trust: The Religious Beliefs and Ideas of the American Founding Fathers1960 Author, Dr. Schweitzer of Lambaréné1967 Author, Present Tense: An American Editor's Odyssey1971 Awarded United Nations Peace Medal1972 Founder and Editor, World1973-1977 Returned to the offices of Saturday Review to run a new biweekly magazine, which was combined with World1978 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Saturday Review1977- Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, University of California, Los Angeles1979 Author, Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived by the Patient1981 Author, Human Options: An Autobiographical Notebook1983 Author, The Healing Heart: Antidotes to Panic and Helplessness1985 Author, Albert Schweitzer's Mission1987 Author, The Pathology of Power1989 Author, Head First: The Biology of Hope1990 Died - Acquisition information:
- Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2018.
- Physical location:
- Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-10-30 15:17:07.850995
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Boxes 30 and OCM6 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.
- Terms of access:
-
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Norman Cousins Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Location of this collection:
-
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford UniversityStanford, CA 94305-6003, US
- Contact:
- (650) 723-3563