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Title: Morris Childs papers
Date (inclusive): 1924-1995
Collection Number: 98069
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In English and Russian
Physical Description:
2 manuscript boxes, 35 microfilm reels
(4.3 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, reports, notes, speeches and writings, and interview transcripts relating to Federal Bureau of Investigation
surveillance of the Communist Party, and the relationship between the Communist Party of the United States and the Soviet
communist party and government. Includes some papers of John Barron used as research material for his book
Operation Solo: The FBI's Man in the Kremlin (Washington, D.C., 1996). Hard-copy material also available on microfilm (2 reels).
Creator:
Barron, John, 1930-2005
Creator:
Childs, Morris, 1902-1991
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.
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1998.
[Identification of item], Morris Childs papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Hard-copy material also available on microfilm (2 reels).
Location of Original Materials
J. Edgar Hoover Foundation (in part).
| 1902 June 10 | Born Moishe Chilovsky, Kiev, Ukraine |
| 1911 | Arrived in the United States Ellis Island |
| 1921 | Joined the United Communist Party of America |
| 1929-1932 | Received training at the International Lenin School in Moscow |
| 1933-1938 | Functionary of the Communist Party, member of the Central Committee |
| 1936 | Ran for U.S. Congress in Illinois |
| 1946-1947 | Editor, Daily Worker |
| 1954-1982 | Cooperated with FBI agents in Operation SOLO |
| 1987 | Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Intelligence |
| 1991 June 5 | Died |
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection includes mainly papers of Morris Childs (1902-1991), a prominent member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA).
From 1954 to 1982, Morris Childs, along with his brother Jack Childs and wife Eva Childs, participated in an operation which
was conducted by the FBI, and later named SOLO.
Within Operation SOLO the FBI supported a clandestine communication system designed and built by the Soviet KGB (Committee
for State Security). Through this system the FBI regularly received messages from the Kremlin and, in the name of Jack or
Morris, sent back information the United States wanted the Soviets to get. The FBI also handled millions of dollars smuggled
from the Soviet Union to New York, either by Jack or Morris or by KGB agents, for the CPUSA. Morris Childs made fifty-seven
trips (called by the FBI "missions") to the Soviet Union and other countries of the socialist camp. He often accompanied Gus
Hall, General Secretary of the CPUSA; sometimes he traveled alone or with his wife. Morris had conferences with party leaders
in the countries he visited and was shown confidential and secret documents. He took almost verbatim records of what he had
heard or seen, and the notes were later handed over to FBI agents. These notes, both holograph and typescript (slightly edited),
are included in the collection in the
Morris Childs File. They give a most vivid impression of the position taken by communist leaders on various international issues. The collection
also includes Morris Childs's notebooks with brief notes about the places he visited and people he met, as well as his interview
transcript prepared by FBI agents.
Microfilm of Morris Childs materials on loan from the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation include correspondence, reports, and notes
relating to Federal Bureau of Investigation surveillance of the Communist Party, and the relationship between the Communist
Party of the United States and the Soviet communist party and government. The original papers are held by the J. Edgar Hoover
Foundation. A transfer table indicating corresponding folder and microfilm reel numbers is available at the Hoover Institution
Library & Archives.
John Barron papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Communism -- United States
Communism -- Soviet Union
Internal security -- United States
Kommunisticheskai͡a partii͡a Sovetskogo Soi͡uza
Communist Party of the United States of America
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation