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Title: Lester Ziffren papers
Date (inclusive): 1933-1989
Collection Number: 90009
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
8 manuscript boxes
(3.3 Linear Feet)
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.
Creator:
Ziffren, Lester
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1990.
[Identification of item], Lester Ziffren Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 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 |
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Journalists
Spain -- History -- Civil War, 1936-1939
Spain -- Politics and government -- 1931-1939
Spain -- Social conditions -- 1886-1939