Božidar Purić papers, 1891-1980

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Purić, Boz̆idar, 1891-1977
Abstract:
Writings, correspondence, diaries, reports, press releases, bulletins, clippings, pamphlets, and photographs, relating to pre-World War II Yugoslav diplomacy, resistance movements in Yugoslavia during the war, diplomatic activities of the Yugoslav government-in-exile, and postwar Serbian émigré affairs. Includes photographs of Serbian military activities during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913. Partially available on microfilm (22 reels).
Extent:
17 manuscript boxes, 20 oversize boxes, 1 card file box, 2 oversize folders (19.09 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains writings, correspondence, diaries, dispatches, reports, press releases, bulletins, clippings, pamphlets, and photographs relating to pre-World War II Yugoslav diplomacy, resistance movements in Yugoslavia during the war, diplomatic activities of the Yugoslav government-in-exile, and postwar Serbian émigré affairs. It includes photographs of Serbian military activities during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.

The Correspondence includes exchanges of letters with Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile political figures, individuals active in the Serbian and Yugoslavian émigré community, and family members. The correspondence reveals Purić's engagement in Serbian and Yugoslav émigré postwar politics. The Speeches and writings include a draft memoir, articles, and speeches written by Purić addressing the political situation and development in Yugoslavia prior to and during World War II. Speeches and writings by others cover topics such as the Communist Party role in Yugoslavia, partisan conflict, and views on the New Yugoslavia and Tito's politics.

The Nikola Pašić material consists of a report, speech, and notes documenting Pašić's political and diplomatic career as prime minister of the Kingdom of Serbia and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, as well as a leader of the People's Radical Party in Serbia.

The Royal Yugoslav government office files are comprised of diplomatic correspondence and reports documenting the Royal Yugoslav government's foreign affairs and politics. Material on treaties and agreements provides an insider's view on diplomatic activities among European countries and the Balkan region in the period between 1927 and 1935. A considerable volume of material documents the Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile's political role during World War II, providing detail on the support of Yugoslav resistance movements and influence upon the creation of New Yugoslavia by the British government and other Allied countries.

Materials in the Draža Mihailović files include original telegrams and daily reports exchanged by the government-in-exile and Draža Mihailović. They detail the situation in Yugoslavia and document the government-in-exile's political and financial involvement in Mihailović's resistance movement.

The Serbian émigré affairs materials document the political engagement and aspirations of the Yugoslav émigré organizations to define the Royal Yugoslav government-in-exile's role in the creation of New Yugoslavia after World War II. The Printed Matter consists of newspapers, journals, clippings and other materials providing information on political developments in Yugoslavia and Europe at the end of World War II, and Yugoslav émigré community reflection on the political and economic condition in postwar Yugoslavia.

The Photographs are comprised of images depicting family members and Purić's official and social gatherings; included are prints documenting the visits of Petar II, King of Yugoslavia to Slovenia. The Oversize materials contain albums that include photographs, certificates, and other materials documenting official and social engagements. Of particular interest are albums containing photographs of the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 depicting Serbian soldiers resting and preparing for the battle.

The Incremental Materials added to the collection in 2013 have been briefly described, including published materials, reports, and photographs.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1891
Born, Belgrade, Serbia
1912
Graduated from the Faculty of Law in Paris, France
1916
Appointed clerk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Yugoslav government-in-exile on Corfu, Greece
1918
Doctoral thesis completed, Casuala rebus sic stantibus en droit international public
1918-1919
Secretary of the Legation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes in Washington, D.C.
1919-1920
Chargé d'Affaires of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in Vladivostok, Russia
1920-1922
Consul in San Francisco, California
1922-1926
Consul in Chicago, Illinois
1927
Head of Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1928-1929
Chargé d'Affaires of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in Washington, D.C.
1929-1932
Counsellor of Legation in London, Great Britain
1932-1935
Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs
1935-1940
Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary in Paris, France
August 1943-July 1944
Prime Minster and Minister of Foreign Affairs, London, Great Britain
1977
Died in Chicago, Illinois
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1982. Incremental materials added 2013.
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], Božidar Purić 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
Website