The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Edgar N. Johnson Papers 1930-1966
© 2007 University of Chicago Library
| Title: | Johnson, Edgar N. . Papers |
|---|---|
| Dates: | 1930-1966 |
| Size: | .75 linear feet (2 boxes) |
| Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
| Abstract: | Born in Chicago in 1901, Edgar N. Johnson was a University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate student in history. He served on the history faculties of University of Nebraska, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts. From 1943-1946, he served in the Office of Strategic Services in England and continental Europe. This collection contains letters written home to his family during this period, as well as biographical material, photographs, and incoming correspondence. |
Open for research. No restrictions.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Edgar N. Johnson. Papers, [Box #, Folder #] , Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library
Born in Chicago in 1901, Edgar N. Johnson was a University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate student in history, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1922 and completing his dissertation ca. 1928-1931. In 1931, he was appointed to the faculty of the University of Nebraska.
From 1943 to 1946, Johnson served in post World War II Austria, Germany, England, and Italy with the Office of Strategic Services. During this time, Johnson wrote lengthy, detailed letters to his family, describing his day-to-day experiences in post-War Europe.
After leaving the service, Johnson served on the history faculties of University of Nebraska, Brandeis University, and University of Massachusetts. He died in 1969 in Amherst, Massachusetts.
This collection consists primarily of Edgar N. Johnson's letters to his family, written between 1944 and 1946. These letters are organized first by the location from which they were written, including New York City, London, and continental European locations. The letters are then organized roughly by date. The remainder of collection contains a variety of other material including biographical information, incoming correspondence (some with transcriptions and translations from German by a friend of Johnson's family), and photographs. Striking among these photographs are contact sheets showing the discovery of concentration camps, as well as Johnson's snapshots of the European cities and sites he visited.
| Box 1 Folder 1 | New York City, outgoing correspondence, 1944 |
| Box 1 Folder 2-3 | London, outgoing correspondence, 1944 |
| Box 1 Folder 4 | London, outgoing correspondence, 1944-1945 |
| Box 1 Folder 5 | Casserta, Italy, outgoing correspondence, 1945 |
| Box 1 Folder 6-7 | Austria, outgoing correspondence, 1945 |
| Box 1 Folder 8-10 | Berlin, outgoing correspondence, 1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 1 | Berlin, outgoing correspondence, 1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 2 | Incoming correspondence, 1930-1935 |
| Box 2 Folder 3 | Biographical material, incoming correspondence and transcriptions, 1936-1996 |
| Box 2 Folder 4 | Biographical material and transcribed incoming correspondence, 1937-1944 |
| Box 2 Folder 5 | Biographical material, correspondence and transcriptions, 1938- 1953 |
| Box 2 Folder 6 | Incoming correspondence, 1944-1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 7 | Incoming correspondence, 1944-1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 8 | Incoming correspondence and government documents, 1945-1949 |
| Box 2 Folder 9 | Incoming correspondence, 1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 10 | Concentration camp discovery, contact sheets, ca. 1945 |
| Box 2 Folder 11 | Photographs of Italy, Germany and Austria, 1944-1946 |
| Box 2 Folder 12 | Personal photographs, ca. 1940s-1950s |
| Box 2 Folder 13 | "Five Months in Berlin," photocopy of typescript, n.d. |