George F. Koether papers, bulk 1943-1987

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Summary

Creators:
Koether, George, 1907-2006
Abstract:
Correspondence, speeches and writings, reports, pamphlets, clippings, photographs, and printed matter relating to laissez-faire economic and political thought, monetary policy, and economic conditions in the United States.
Extent:
21 manuscript boxes (8.7 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], George F. Koether papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The majority of the collection is composed of Subject Files, which contain correspondence, speeches, writings, reports, studies, pamphlets, clippings, and other printed matter on communism, education, religion, politics, economy, economists, and geographic areas. The Correspondenceseries contains letters, memoranda, and printed matter relating to Koether's interest in economic and political policy, corporate industries, and political societies. Also included is a section of Writings, which contains drafts, notes, books, and published articles.

Biographical / historical:

George Koether was a journalist, speechwriter, businessman, lecturer, economist, a friend to Ludwig and Margit von Mises, and a longtime ambassador for Misesian economics. He was born on July 28, 1907, in Newark, New Jersey. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and attended Albion College in Michigan, where he studied journalism. He also studied business administration at Columbia University, New York.

In 1930, Koether married Viola B. Kennedy and began his journalism career, as a copy editor for Look Magazine in 1943 and later serving as the automotive and transportation editor in 1952. Koether was a three-time awardee of the Ted V. Rodgers Journalism Award for outstanding articles and editorials on highway improvement and use, and contributed articles about the automotive industry for the World Book Encyclopedia. Koether also wrote for the The Saturday Evening Post, Architectural Forum, and Christian Economics, on many topics ranging from currency and inflation to politics and economics. In the 1940s and 1950s, Koether began correspondence with Henry L. Hazlitt, editor of, The Freeman, who encouraged Koether to write for the publication.

In 1958, Koether worked as a public relations official for the United States Steel Corporation in New York, and he was a member of the Public Relations Society of America in the 1960s. He also served on the staff of organizations such as the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and the Christian Freedom Foundation.

Koether also served as lecturer for the University of Michigan, the New York Civic Education Forum, and the Ludwig von Mises Institute at Auburn College, Alabama.

In the 1970s, Koether served as chairman for the Committee for Monetary Research and Education, Inc. Around 1976, Koether produced a series of audio-visual films on free market economics and monetary policy. While working for Ingersoll-Rand Corporation, Koether wrote a series of educational materials for employees on economics. Similar curricula was developed and targeted for the layperson at other corporations and schools.

During the 1980s and throughout his retirement, Koether was a benefactor to the Ludwig von Mises Institute at Auburn College. He passed away March 22, 2006.

Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1988.
Arrangement:

The collection maintains the original arrangement and hierarchical order of the George F. Koether when possible.

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], George F. Koether 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
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