World Citizens Association. Chicago Group. Records, 1939-1943

  • IdentificationICU.SPCL.WCACG
  • TitleGuide to the World Citizens Association. Chicago Group Records1939-1943
  • PublisherUniversity of Chicago Library
  • LanguageEnglish
  • Date1939-1943
  • Physical Description5 linear feet (10 boxes)
  • RepositorySpecial Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
  • AbstractThe World Citizens Association was an outgrowth of attempts to found an American division of the World Foundation. Founded in 1939 under the patronage of Anita McCormick Blaine, the Chicago Group was disbanded in 1943 for lack of funding. Carleton Washburne chaired the group. The Chicago Group prepared surveys or study kits dealing with international cooperation. Contains correspondence, by-laws, minutes, reports, financial records, surveys, and membership information. Contains files of executive director, Edwin M. Clough. Correspondents include Anita McCormick Blaine, Quincy Wright, Edwin Cassels, Jerome Kerwin, and others. Material relates to the group's activities in promoting international cooperation and organization.

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International Affairs and World Federation

No restrictions.

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: World Citizens Association. Chicago Group. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

The World Citizens Association was an outgrowth of S. de Maderiaga's attempts at founding an American division of the World Foundation. Founded in 1939 under the patronage of Mrs. Anita McCormick Blaine, the Chicago group was dissolved in 1943 for lack of sufficient operating funds. In the course of its life under the chairmanship of Carleton Washburne, superintendent of schools in Winnetka, and under the executive directorship of Edwin M. Clough (1939-1940), John R. Van de Water (1940-1943), and Caroline Willis (1943), the Chicago Group prepared eleven surveys/study kits on as many different subjects having some relation to international cooperation. The World Citizens Association actively encouraged the development of groups to use these materials or sponsored them in order to come to some understanding and opinion as to the practicality, possibility, and nature of the post-war "organization" of the world.

The Records are divided into five series. Series I contains general correspondence. Series II is a group of files compiled by Edwin M. Clough during his tenure as director. Series III contains the organization's financial records; Series IV is a selection of replies received to requests for literature for the Committee's surveys. Series V comprises file cards on various publications.

The Records of the World Citizens Association, Central Committee should be consulted in conjunction with this collection.

The following related resources are located in the Department of Special Collections:

  • Names
    • Blaine, Anita McCormick.
    • Cassels, Edwin Henry, 1874-
    • Clough, Edwin M.
    • Kerwin, Jerome G. (Jerome Gregory), 1896-
    • Washburne, Carleton, b. 1889.
    • Wright, Quincy, 1890-1970.
    • World Citizens Association. Chicago Group.
  • Subject
    • International cooperation.
    • Internationalism.
    • International organization.
    • International organization -- Societies, etc.
    • International relations.