Joseph P. Kennedy (#136) - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

An Inventory of His Personal Papers
1888-1974
In the John F. Kennedy Library
National Archives and Records Administration

Administrative Information
Biographical Note
Function and Use
Collection Overview
List of Series
Series Description

Administrative Information

Abstract
Papers 1888-1974
Father of President Kennedy, banker, financier, diplomat. Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (1934-1937); Chairman, Maritime Commission (1937); Ambassador to Great Britain (1938-1940). Personal, family, business and diplomatic papers.

Access
Under the terms of the deed of gift, access to this collection is “by permission only.” The deed establishes a donor committee to review and approve all matters relating to the processing of the collection and the opening of the papers for scholarly review. The committee has approved instructions for applying for access and a uniform “Request for Access” to be submitted by applicants for access. Forms attached.

Usage Restrictions
According to the deed of gift signed November 21, 1995, all copyright in these materials that was held by the donors at the time of donation has been assigned to the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation until November 21, 2020 when the Library Foundation will be free to transfer and assign any then-valid intellectual property rights (including any copyrights) in these materials to the United States of America for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

Copyright
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excesses of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. The copyright law extends its protection to unpublished works from the moment of creation in a tangible form. Direct your questions concerning copyright to the reference staff. All copies from this collection are made on distinctively colored paper and bear the following statement on each page:

THE JOSEPH P. KENNEDY PAPERS COLLECTION. This copy is for the sole use of [Name of researcher] and shall not be reproduced, copied, or shared with any other person without the prior written consent of the Joseph P. Kennedy Papers Donor Committee and/or the copyright holder.

Provenance
Deeded to the National Archives and Records Administration by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation of Washington, District of Columbia, in November 1995. Received from Rose Kennedy, August 1975 (Acc. 1976-006); January 1976 (Acc. 1976-20); September 1976 (Acc. 1976-044); from Stephen Smith, March 1977 (Acc. 1977-15); from Patricia Kennedy Lawford, April 1977 (Acc. 1977-20); from Rose Kennedy, May 1977 (Acc. 1977-21); from Stephen Smith, May 1977 (Acc. 1977-23); from Rose Kennedy and Patricia Kennedy Lawford, June 1977 (Acc. 1977-29); from Rose Kennedy, June 1977 (Acc. 1977-032), May 1977 (Acc. 1977-040), July 1977 (Acc. 1977-041) and October 1978 (Acc. 1979-02); from Patricia Kennedy Lawford, May 1980 (Acc. 1980-10); from Rose Kennedy, September 1986 and May 1987 (Acc. 1987-021); from the John F. Kennedy Library Corporation, January 1995 (Acc. 1995-23); from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation, November 1996 (Acc. 1997-02); through Amanda Smith from Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises storage, February 2002 (Acc. 2002-310); and from Edward Kennedy, July 2002 (Acc. 2002-361) and May 2004 (Acc. 2004-82).

Extent
About 124,725 items (343 linear feet)

Classified Items Withdrawn
Selected folders may contain withdrawal sheets where documents containing national security classified information were removed from this collection.

Withdrawn Items
Selected folders may contain withdrawal sheets where documents, in accordance with the donor's deed of gift, were removed from the collection. These include documents which may be used to injure or harass any living person. All withdrawn documents have been placed under seal and upon request the Kennedy Library will review any material which has been closed for a period of not less than two years for the purpose of opening items which no longer require restrictions. Researchers should consult the reference staff to obtain the appropriate form(s).

Items Separated
Items separated include oversize items (OVZ-136), oversize printed materials (PM-136), oversize volumes of books and ledgers (SV-136), and pictures (P-136). A separation sheet has been inserted in the appropriate file describing the item and giving a reference number. To see oversize material, please ask the reference archivist for assistance.

Date Opened
August 2000-March 2004.

Processed by
Megan F. Desnoyers

Encoded by
James M. Roth

Related Collections

Personal Papers Collections
	Doris Kearns Goodwin Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library J. Edgar Hoover Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library John F. Kennedy Papers: Personal Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Rose Kennedy Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library David Koskoff Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library James Landis Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress Pathe Exchange Collection, Special Collections, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA Franklin D. Roosevelt Papers, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY James Seymour Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library R. Sargent Shriver Papers, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Gloria Swanson Collection, University of Texas, Austin, TX
Audio-visual Collections, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
	Kennedy Family Photograph Collection U.S. Government Agency Photograh Collection
Oral History Interviews, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
	James Fayne Rose Kennedy Alan G. Kirk Lee C. White

The Personal Papers of Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969)

Biographical Note
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 6, 1886, Joseph Patrick Kennedy was the son of Mary Hickey and Patrick Joseph Kennedy, a local political figure who served in the Massachusetts House and Senate and was also a successful businessman helping to found Columbia Trust Company in 1895. Although Kennedy attended Catholic schools throughout his childhood, his father enrolled him in Boston Latin School, a preparatory school. Class president during his senior year, Kennedy graduated from Boston Latin in 1908 and went on to Harvard University, earning his degree in 1912. Upon graduation, he took a job as an assistant state bank examiner.

Throughout high school and college, Kennedy courted Rose Fitzgerald, a childhood friend and daughter of Boston Mayor John Francis Fitzgerald (“Honey Fitz”). They were married on October 7, 1914. After a two-week honeymoon, the couple settled in the Boston suburb of Brookline and their first son, Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., was born on July 28, 1915. The Kennedy family continued to grow: John Fitzgerald (Jack) was born on May 29, 1917; Rosemary on November 11, 1918; and Kathleen on February 20, 1920.

After averting a takeover at his father’s Columbia Trust Company, Kennedy became president of the bank in early 1914. At twenty-five years old, he was touted in the press as the country’s youngest bank president. While president of Columbia Trust, Kennedy also served on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Electric Company where he met Guy Currier. In 1917, Currier offered Kennedy a position as an assistant at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. Run by Bethlehem Steel, the shipyard prospered with American involvement in World War I. While working at Fore River, Kennedy first met Franklin D. Roosevelt, then assistant secretary of the Navy. At the end of World War I, Kennedy left Bethlehem Steel to return to finance, accepting a job as a stock manager at the Boston branch of Hayden, Stone and Company, under the direction of partner Galen Stone. When Stone retired in 1922, Kennedy remained in the same office but struck out on his own, becoming involved with Wall Street and real estate speculation. During this time Kennedy became involved in the movie industry.

In 1919, Kennedy and a group of investors, including Guy Currier, purchased the Maine and New Hampshire Theatres Company, a chain of thirty-one New England movie theatres. Throughout the early 1920’s, Kennedy was associated with the finances and distribution of several different film companies, joining the board of directors of Robertson-Cole/Film Book Offices (R.C./F.B.O.) in 1923. It was also in 1923 that Kennedy met Fred Thomson, a popular film star of westerns. Kennedy later coordinated a production deal between himself, Thomson and R.C./F.B.O., arranging for Thomson to create a series of westerns directly for the studio under Thomson's production company. After resigning from the board of directors in 1924, Kennedy purchased R.C./F.B.O. in 1925, working with a group of investors that again included Guy Currier, along with Frederick H. Prince and Louis Kirstein, head of Filene's department stores. When the purchase was publicly announced in early 1926, Kennedy and Currier formed Cinema Credits Corporation. Kennedy then coordinated a lecture series at Harvard University entitled “The Story of the Films” that included speakers such as Marcus Loew, William H. Hays and Cecil B. DeMille. In 1927, Kennedy struck another production deal with Fred Thomson, arranging for four westerns to be produced by Fred Thomson Productions on the F.B.O. lot and released by Paramount Pictures. In late 1927, Kennedy met actress Gloria Swanson, one of the most prominent actresses of her time. Because of Swanson’s extravagant lifestyle and financially disastrous attempt at self production under the aegis of United Artists Corporation, Kennedy took over Swanson's personal and professional finances, creating Gloria Productions. In early 1928, Kennedy hired director Erich Von Stroheim to direct Swanson in a lavish film designed to restore her former star power. Though Von Stroheim’s film was never completed, Kennedy and Swanson produced two other films, including Swanson's first talking feature, “The Trespasser” before ending their business relationship in 1930.

During 1927, Kennedy began meeting with David A. Sarnoff, head of Radio Corporation of America (R.C.A.). To join the film industry and begin the merger that would eventually create Radio-Keith-Orpheum (R.K.O.), R.C.A. purchased shares of F.B.O. This process continued throughout 1928 as Kennedy, Sarnoff, and J.J. Murdock, head of the Keith-Albee-Orpheum theatre network, merged their respective companies together to create R.K.O., the first film studio designed to exclusively produce sound pictures. The merger was completed in late 1928, leaving Sarnoff as the head of the newly created R.K.O. In 1928, Kennedy also assumed a position as “special advisor” to Pathé studios, Cecil B. DeMille’s former company and owner of the lot where Gloria Productions films were made. In December 1930, Kennedy sold his share in Pathé to R.K.O. and resigned from active management of Gloria Productions.

Though Kennedy spent a great deal of time on the West Coast due to his involvement in the film industry, back east, his family continued to expand. His third daughter, Eunice was born on June 10, 1921, with Patricia following on May 5, 1924, Robert (Bobby) on November 20, 1925 and Jean on February 20, 1928. In 1926, he moved the family from Boston to Riverdale, New York. Kennedy also continued his interest in real estate by purchasing property in Palm Beach, Florida, and Hyannisport, Massachusetts. Kennedy avoided the stock market pitfalls of 1929. He had largely pulled out of the market before the infamous October crash and the family's finances remained largely unaffected throughout the 1930s. The Kennedy family was completed with the birth of their ninth child, Edward (Teddy) Moore on February 22, 1932.

It was in the 1930s that Kennedy began to devote his time to politics, lending both financial and personal support to Franklin Roosevelt's 1932 presidential campaign. In September 1932, Kennedy spent several months with Roosevelt on his campaign train. During a 1933 trip to Europe with Jimmy Roosevelt (FDR's son), Kennedy became involved in the import business and became the U.S. agent for Haig & Haig Ltd., John Dewar and Sons, Ltd. and Gordon's Dry Gin Company Ltd.. With these new contacts, Kennedy arranged for his company, Somerset Importers, to stockpile liquor imports for the end of Prohibition. In July 1934, Kennedy returned to politics after Roosevelt appointed him chairmen of the newly created Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Despite widespread qualms about the appointment of an ex-speculator to an influential regulatory position, Kennedy got the SEC off to a firm start. His knowledge of and ties with the business community were an asset in an agency charged with policing investment practices. Though Kennedy had been appointed for a five-year term, he resigned from the SEC in September 1935. After taking a six-week tour of Europe and reporting to Roosevelt on the European economic situation, he began work as a corporate consultant with David Sarnoff at R.C.A. Kennedy also returned briefly to the movie industry as an advisor to Paramount Pictures. He prepared an influential report that led to changes throughout the company's operational structure. During the 1936 presidential campaign, Kennedy published and widely distributed I'm for Roosevelt . Written with the aid of New York Times columnist Arthur Krock, the book detailed Kennedy's strong support for Roosevelt and the New Deal from the prospective of the business community. After his successful re-election, Roosevelt appointed Kennedy chairman of the Maritime Commission. Created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1938, the commission was expected to rejuvenate America's merchant shipping industry, which was currently crippled by an outdated fleet and a difficult labor situation. Kennedy spent only ten months at the commission. In early December 1937, the news broke that Roosevelt had selected Kennedy as the new ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, a position Kennedy had had his eye on for several months. Kennedy officially resigned from the Maritime Commission in February 1938.

Kennedy served as ambassador to Great Britain from 1938 until 1940. During this time, Kennedy argued for appeasement and for American neutrality, wanting the United States to stay out of any conflict that might occur between Britain and Germany. Kennedy resigned in November 1940. The 1940s were a hard time for the Kennedy family. During the war, Kennedy’s two eldest sons served in the Navy, Joe, Jr. as a pilot and John as the commander of PT-109. In 1944, Joe, Jr. was killed in a bombing raid over Germany. John was seriously wounded when his boat was attacked by the Japanese. On May 14, 1948, Kennedy’s daughter Kathleen died in a plane crash over Sainte-Bauzille, Ardeche, France. When her father had served as ambassador, Kathleen had met and married William John Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, who was also killed in action in World War II in 1944.

In his later years Kennedy continued to be successful in business (notably real estate) and devoted considerable time to philanthropic activities, especially the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation. After his eldest son’s death, Kennedy focused on the career of his second son, John F. Kennedy, convincing him to run for a seat in Massachusetts’ eleventh congressional district, which he won in 1946. John F. Kennedy served three terms (1947-1952) in the House of Representatives, two terms (1952-1960) in the U.S. Senate, and was elected President of the United States in 1960. Kennedy also supported the political aspirations of his son Robert, who served one term (1965-1968) in the U.S. Senate.

On Dec. 19, 1961, Joseph Kennedy suffered a series of strokes (coronary thrombosis) that left him an invalid. Weathering the tragedies of the assassinations of his sons John and Robert, Kennedy bore his burden quietly. On November 18, 1969, Joseph P. Kennedy died in Hyannis, Massachusetts, as the age of 81.

Function and Use
Papers created by Joseph P. Kennedy--and members of his staff--in his capacity as a banker, financier, philanthropist, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1934-1937), Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission (1937), and Ambassador to Great Britain (1938-1940).

Collection Overview
The Personal Papers of Joseph P. Kennedy document his life as banker, financier, movie producer, diplomat and father to nine children. The collection is arranged into twelve series, roughly organized chronologically by the positions Kennedy held, including his business ventures in banking, real estate and finance, movie producer, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission, and ambassador to Great Britain. Other series document Kennedy family life, including Kennedy’s time after his ambassadorship and the political campaigns of his two sons, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy.

The first series, Family, documents family correspondence and contains material about individual family members. This material was collected from throughout the papers by Library staff. This series consists of two subseries: Correspondence and Subject Files. The Correspondence series contains letters between immediate members of the Kennedy family, including spouses and grandchildren. Of note are Rose Kennedy’s “round robin” letters, which kept the large and scattered family in touch. The Family Subject Files contain material specifically related to each family member. The files are arranged in birth order. The Subject Files include material from John C. Dowd, Inc., Advertising, hired by Kennedy, to write press releases, plan publicity, and collect news clippings about the family.

The Early Correspondence series contains fragmentary files of Kennedy’s personal, business and extended family correspondence, describing business deals, stock purchases, and initial acquaintances with individuals who appear throughout the later correspondence series. There is material about Kennedy’s father, Patrick Joseph Kennedy, his final illness and death. The series also documents early donations by the Kennedy family to different types of charities, including the Catholic Church, children’s hospitals and schools, and Harvard University.

The Business and Finance series contains information about Kennedy’s early employment in the banking and investment sectors, as well as his later business ventures, securities trading, and general financial records. Arranged into nine subseries, the files include information on Columbia Trust Company; Bethlehem Shipbuilding: Fore River Plant; Columbia Advertising Company; Somerset Importers, the American agent to sell Haig & Haig Scots Whisky, Gordon’s Gins, Dewar’s Scotch Whiskey, King William IV Scotch Whisky, and Riondo Puerto Rico Rum in the United States; Merchandise Mart, an office building in Chicago that Kennedy rented to a mixture of retail stores and offices; Kennedy’s Investments and Finances, including general banking and financial records, securities, taxes, real estate, and insurance. Materials related to Kennedy’s business and financial dealings are largely closed to research due to privacy issues.

The Movie Industry series documents Kennedy's involvement in the film industry. Although the series spans the years 1919 to 1957, the bulk of the material dates from 1920 to 1932. As Kennedy's involvement in the movie industry was varied and extensive, the material has been organized into seven subseries representing his major film enterprises: Robertson-Cole/F.B.O.; Fred Thomson Productions; Gloria Swanson; Pathé/R.K.O.; Cinema Credits Corporation; Paramount Pictures; and General Files.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt and Politics series documents the relationship between Kennedy and Roosevelt, as well as Kennedy’s other political activities. The series is arranged into three subseries: Correspondence; Campaigning for Roosevelt; and News Clippings and Scrapbooks.

The Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission series consists of material related to Kennedy's position as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is arranged into three subseries: Correspondence, Speeches, and News Clippings.

The Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission series consists of material related to Kennedy's tenure as chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission. The series is arranged into four subseries: Outgoing Letters; Correspondence; Speeches, Articles, and Reports; and News Clippings and Scrapbooks.

The bulk of the collection is found in U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain series. It consists of material related to Kennedy's position as ambassador to Great Britain, and is arranged into eleven subseries: Appointments and Diary; Correspondence; Diplomatic Memoir; Speeches; Subject File; Dispatches; Incoming Press Materials; British Broadcasting Corporation Broadcasts; News Clippings, Scrapbooks, and Magazine Articles; Ambassador Bingham Files; and English Newspapers. The complexity of the collection is documented within the correspondence series as it was handled by numerous offices in London and New York. The correspondence series also includes public opinion mail, labeled the “OOO” file, as well as Kennedy assistant Edward E. Moore’s files. The Diplomatic Memoir contains files created by researchers and ghostwriters Elizabeth P. Walsh and James Landis, and later Jim Fayne and Paul Mallon, in collaboration with Kennedy. The memoir details Kennedy’s activities as ambassador to England, focusing on his experience during World War II, and draws on materials from diary entries, correspondence, memos and other secondary sources. Much of the Subject Files, originally labeled “#2”, concern World War II and the impact of the war on particular areas. The Ambassadorial Dispatches consist of a variety of different telegrams between the U.S. Embassy in London, the Department of State in Washington, D.C., and U.S. Embassies in other countries. The Press Materials consist of press releases and news reports from The National Defense Advisory Commission, Teletypes, and Public Opinion News Service. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Broadcasts contain digests of BBC news programs from around the world. Ambassador Robert Bingham Files are a fragment of Robert Bingham’s social and business files while serving as ambassador to Great Britain, prior to Kennedy.

The Private Citizen series documents the period after Kennedy resigned as ambassador to Great Britain (November 1940) and ends with his death (November 1969). Most of the material comes before Kennedy’s 1961 stroke. Of note are the drafts of the book The Surrender of King Leopold (1950), written by Kennedy, with ghostwriters James M. Landis and Elizabeth P. Walsh; Kennedy’s speeches; his work on the two Hoover Commissions (Commissions on the Organization of the Executive Branch) and a Massachusetts Department of Commerce. Also of note throughout the correspondence are references to John F. Kennedy’s various campaigns.

In addition to Kennedy’s Private Citizen correspondence, there are two separate series document the campaigns of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. The John F. Kennedy Campaign series concerns John Kennedy’s 1946 congressional campaign, 1952 Senate campaign against Henry Cabot Lodge, 1958 Senate re-election campaign, and 1960 presidential campaign. The Robert F. Kennedy Campaign series concerns Robert Kennedy’s New York campaign for Senate against Senator Kenneth Keating and his 1968 presidential campaign.

The books consist of bound volumes of published transcripts of House of Commons Parliamentary Debates, opera librettos, government publications, and fiction and non-fiction books.

List of Series			Date Opened
Series 1. Family, 1888-1973			Opened 8/2000-2/2004
	1.1. Family Correspondence, 1923-1968		Opened 8/2000, 11/2003
	1.2. Family Subject Files, 1888-1973		Opened 8/2000, 3/2003, 11/2003-12/2003, 2/2004
		1.2.1. Joseph P. Kennedy, 1888-1969 1.2.2. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1925-1973 1.2.3. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., 1924-1962 1.2.4. John F. Kennedy, 1929-1963 1.2.5. Rosemary Kennedy, 1931-1958 1.2.6. Kathleen Kennedy Hartington, 1933-1948 1.2.7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1930-1963 1.2.8. Patricia Kennedy Lawford, 1933-1954 1.2.9. Robert F. Kennedy, 1934-1968 1.2.10. Jean Kennedy Smith,1936-1956 1.2.11. Edward M. Kennedy, 1936-1965
Series 2. Early Correspondence, 1890-1967			Opened 8/2000-9/2003
Series 3. Business and Finance, 1894-1974			Opened 9/2000-2/2004
	3.1. Columbia Trust Company, 1914-1919
	3.2. Bethlehem Shipbuilding, Fore River Plant, 1917-1919
	3.3. Columbia Advertising Company, 1923-1928
	3.4. Somerset Importers, 1933-1946
	3.5. Merchandise Mart, 1945-1974
	3.6. Investments and Finances, 1894-1965
		3.6.1. General Banking and Financial Records 3.6.2. Securities 3.6.3. Taxes 3.6.4. Subject Files 3.6.5. Real Estate
	3.7. General Business, 1917-1961
		3.7.1. Subject Files 3.7.2. Staff Files
	3.8. Insurance, 1914-1971
	3.9. Estate, 1961-1974
Series 4. Movie Industry, 1919-1957			Opened 3/2003- 2/2004
	4.1. Robertson-Cole/F.B.O., 1920-1932
	4.2. Fred Thomson Productions, 1927-1947
	4.3. Gloria Swanson, 1921-1957
		4.3.1. Gloria Swanson Personal, 1921-1930 4.3.2. Gloria Swanson Productions, 1925-1930 4.3.3. Gloria Productions, 1927-1957
	4.4. Pathe/R.K.O., 1927-1935
	4.5. Cinema Credits Corporation, 1926-1943
	4.6. Paramount Pictures, Inc., 1936-1937
	4.7. General, 1919-1954
Series 5. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Politics, 1932-1960 Opened 8/2002-2/2004
	5.1. Correspondence, 1932-1960
	5.2. Campaigning, 1932-1937
		5.2.1. Campaign Train, 1932 5.2.2. I’m for Roosevelt, 1936 5.2.3. Speeches and Articles, 1936-1937
	5.3. News Clippings and Scrapbooks, 1935-1952
Series 6. Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 1927-1940 Opened 9/2000-2/2004
	6.1. Correspondence, 1934-1935
		6.1.1. Outgoing Letters, 1934-1935 6.1.2. Personal Correspondent File, 1934-1935
	6.2. Speeches, Articles and Reports, 1934-1937
	6.3. News Clippings and Scrapbooks, 1927-1940
Series 7. Chairman, U.S. Maritime Commission, 1937-1938			Opened 8/2000-3/2004
	7.1. Outgoing Letters, 1937-1938
	7.2. Correspondence, 1937-1938
	7.3. Speeches, Articles and Reports, 1937-1938
	7.4. News Clippings and Scrapbooks, 1937-1938
Series 8. U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1931-1951			Opened 8/2000-4/2004
	8.1. Appointments and Diary, 1938-1951
	8.2. Correspondence, 1938-1940
		8.2.1. Correspondent File, London, 1938-1940 8.2.2. Subject File, London, 1938-1940 8.2.3. Edward E. Moore File, 1938-1940 8.2.4. London Public Opinion Mail (OOO File), 1938-1941 8.2.5. Correspondent File, New York, 1938-1940
	8.3. Diplomatic Memoir
	8.4. Speeches, 1938-1940
	8.5. Subject File, 1937-1944 (bulk dates 1938-1940)
	8.6. Dispatches, 1938-1940
	8.7. Incoming Press Materials, 1939-1940
	8.8. British Broadcasting Corporation Broadcasts, 1939-1940
	8.9. Clippings, Scrapbooks, and Magazines, 1934-1940
	8.10. Ambassador Robert Bingham Files, 1931-1937
	8.11. English Newspapers
Series 9. Private Citizen, 1940-1969			Opened 4/2003-9/2003
	9.1. Correspondence, 1940-1969
		9.1.1. Correspondent File, 1940-1969 9.1.2. Subject File, 1940-1969
	9.2. Speeches, 1940-1953
	9.3. Writings, 1940-1959
	9.4. Subject File
	9.5. News Clippings, 1940-1969
Series 10. John F. Kennedy Campaigns, 1946-1960			Opened 1/03, 2-3/2004
	10.1. Congressional and Senate Campaigns, 1946, 1952, 1958
	10.2. Presidential Campaign, 1960
Series 11. Robert F. Kennedy Campaigns, 1964-1968			Opened 1/2003
	11.1. Senate Campaign, 1964
	11.2. Presidential Campaign, 1968
Series 12. Books			Opened 9/2003

Series Description

Series 1. Family, 1888-1973. Opened 8/2000-2/2004
	Series 1.1. Family Correspondence, 1923-1968. Opened 8/2000, 3/2003, 11/2003-12/2003, 2/2004 About 2000 items. Arrangement: chronological. This series contains correspondence between immediate members of the Kennedy family, including spouses and grandchildren. Types of correspondence include letters, notes, telegrams, and postcards. Of particular note are Rose Kennedy’s “round robin” letters, which kept the large and scattered family in touch. Researchers should note this material was artificially arranged by Library staff from throughout the papers. Joseph P. Kennedy’s files did not contain specific folders on his family. Whenever possible, Library staff have estimated dates for undated letters and filed the items in the appropriate chronological files. Estimated dates are marked in brackets at the upper right corner of the documents. Undated letters whose dates could not be estimated are arranged by author at the end of the chronological files, and, in some cases, are further separated by subject. The “Undated: Miscellaneous” file contains letters from multiple authors or unknown authors, as well as unidentified fragments of letters. Due to the value and fragility of the originals, photocopies have been made for research use. A small number of items remain closed under deed restrictions. Correspondence with members of the Kennedy extended family, such as Rose Kennedy’s parents or Joseph Kennedy’s sister, will be found throughout the collection under the person’s name or in Series 1.2. Family Subject Files. See also Series 1.2. Family Subject Files for additional correspondence with spouses prior to marriage as well as correspondence with non-family members.
	Series 1.2. Family Subject Files, 1888-1973. Opened 8/2000, 3/2003, 11/2003, 12/2003, 2/2004 About 6600 items. Arrangement: in birth order by name of family member. The Family Subject File is arranged into eleven subseries based on birth order: 1.2.1. Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969); 1.2.2. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890-1995); 1.2.3. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (1915-1944); 1.2.4. John F. Kennedy (1917-1963); 1.2.5. Rosemary Kennedy (1918- ); 1.2.6. Kathleen Kennedy Hartington (1920-1948); 1.2.7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921- ); 1.2.8. Patricia Kennedy Lawford (1924- ); 1.2.9. Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968); 1.2.10. Jean Kennedy Smith (1928- ); and 1.2.11. Edward M. Kennedy (1932- ). Several series contain material from John C. Dowd, Inc., Advertising, hired by the Kennedy family to write press releases, plan publicity, and collect news clippings about the family. Researchers should note this material was arranged by Library staff from throughout the papers. Joseph P. Kennedy’s files did not contain these specific folders on his family. For correspondence among immediate family members, see Series 1.1. Family Correspondence .
		Series 1.2.1. Joseph P. Kennedy, 1888-1969. Opened 11/2003 About 50 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series contains items relating to Joseph P. Kennedy (1888-1969) that did not fit elsewhere in the collection. All material related to Kennedy's health is closed. “News clippings” contains biographical articles and overviews of Kennedy’s entire life, with most news clippings found in news clippings and scrapbooks series throughout the collection. For additional material relating to Kennedy’s death, see Series 3.9. Business and Finance: Estate .
		Series 1.2.2. Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1925-1973. Opened 8/2000, 12/2003 About 2800 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series contains material produced by or about Rose F. Kennedy (1890-1994) including financial papers, bills and receipts, diaries, scrapbooks, itineraries, lists and inventories, deeds, speeches, press releases, news clippings, and magazine articles. Subjects covered include Kennedy homes in Bronxville, New York; Palm Beach, Florida; Hyannisport, Massachusetts, and Maryland; Rose Kennedy's trips to Europe and South Africa; her time in London as wife of the American ambassador; donations she made; restoration of John F. Kennedy's birthplace in Brookline, Massachusetts; her involvement in John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign; and general educational material relating to her children. Correspondence is filed in several categories. "Correspondence series, 1934, 1953-1960" is an incomplete series that was found intact in the collection. "Non-family correspondence" is Rose Kennedy’s general correspondence from throughout the collection. A large portion of the series consists of extensive material about Kennedy residences, including information on household expenses, bills, staffing, interior decorating, deeds, leases, property values, construction, and repairs. Researchers interested in family homes should also consult Series 3.5. Business and Finance: Merchandise Mart and Series 9.1.2. Private Citizen Correspondence Subject File, 1940-1969 .
		Series 1.2.3. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., 1924-1962. Opened 12/2003 About 900 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (1915-1944) gathered from throughout the collection. It contains correspondence, school material, speeches, articles, drafts, naval records, news clippings, and condolence material to his family upon his death. Topics covered include his education at Choate and Harvard, his trip to Spain in spring 1939, the 1940 Democratic convention, his naval career, his death in August 1944, and the launch of the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr . For material on the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, see Series 9.4. Private Citizen: Subjects: Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.
		Series 1.2.4. John F. Kennedy, 1929-1963. Opened 3/2003, 12/2003 About 475 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject, then chronological by year. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) gathered from throughout the collection. It contains personal correspondence, office correspondence, school material and report cards, speeches, articles, drafts, news clippings and financial material. Topics covered include John Kennedy's health, his education at Choate, Harvard and Stanford, material on his article Why England Slept , his naval career and PT 109, Profiles in Courage , various articles and speeches, his wedding to Jaqueline Lee Bouvier in September 1953, and his inauguration as president in January 1961. The folders titled "Non- family Correspondence" contain correspondence between John Kennedy and non-family members and include business, personal and financial material. The "Office Correspondence" folder contains correspondence from members of his office, including secretaries and staffers, about business and political matters and date mostly from his time in Congress. The material from Choate is extensive and includes report cards, quarterly reports and correspondence with the headmaster and assistant headmaster. The "Health" folder contains all major correspondence discussing John Kennedy's health from throughout the Joseph P. Kennedy Papers, including correspondence with doctors and Choate staff. It has been physically separated out of the order and placed in box 21. Items about John Kennedy’s health may not be photocopied. See Series 10. John F. Kennedy Campaigns for further information on 1946-1960 campaigns. Further material on John Kennedy's early years will be found in the Kennedy Library’s John F. Kennedy Papers: Personal Papers and John F. Kennedy Papers: Pre-Presidential Papers.
		Series 1.2.5. Rosemary Kennedy, 1931-1958. Opened 12/2003 About 200 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Rosemary Kennedy (1918- ) found in Joseph Kennedy's papers, including bills, correspondence, and news clippings. Topical subjects cover information on Rosemary Kennedy’s health and her education. Due to deed restrictions, much of this material is closed.
		Series 1.2.6. Kathleen Kennedy Hartington, 1933-1948. Opened 12/2003 About 100 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Kathleen Kennedy, Marchioness of Hartington, (1920-1948) found in Joseph Kennedy's papers, including correspondence between Kathleen and non-family members, correspondence about Kathleen, a series of short articles written by Kathleen on notable people for the Washington Times-Herald , scrapbooks, Red Cross material, estate material and limited condolence mail.
		Series 1.2.7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1930-1963. Opened 11/2003 About 400 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Eunice Kennedy Shriver (1921- ) found in Joseph P. Kennedy's papers, including correspondence, school material, remarks and speeches, bills and receipts, lists, itineraries, writings and newsclippings. Subjects covered include Eunice’s and Jean's trip to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East in 1951, articles and interviews written about the trip, speeches and remarks by Eunice Kennedy, many on the subject of mental retardation and social reform, and Eunice's wedding to Sargent Shriver, including photographs, guests lists and news coverage. For material on Eunice Kennedy Shriver's involvement with the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, see Series 9.4. Private Citizen: Subject File: Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. For additional Sargent Shriver correspondence, see Series 3.5. Business and Finance: Merchandise Mart and Series 9.1.1. Private Citizen: Correspondence File .
		Series 1.2.8. Patricia Kennedy Lawford, 1933-1957. Opened 11/2003 About 250 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Patricia Kennedy Lawford (1924- ) found in Joseph P. Kennedy's papers and includes correspondence, school material, newsclippings and articles and material documenting Patricia's wedding to Peter Lawford, including invitations, guest lists and photographs. There is a small index card catalog box (Box 30) of invitations and announcements that has been separated from the folder labeled “Invitations and announcements” to preserve the original order and arrangement of the papers.
		Series 1.2.9. Robert F. Kennedy, 1934-1968. Opened 12/2003 About 500 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or produced by Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) found in Joseph P. Kennedy's papers including correspondence, school material, speeches, articles, drafts, photographs, trip diaries, wedding material, newsclippings, press releases, and funeral and memorial material. Subjects covered include Robert Kennedy's education at Portsmouth Priory school, Milton Academy, Harvard University, and the University of Virginia Law School, his stamp collection, various articles he wrote, his marriage to Ethel Skakel in 1950, his work as Senate Counsel in the 1950s and Senator from New York in the 1960s, and trips to Europe and the Middle East in 1949 and the central Asia region of the Soviet Union in 1955 with Justice William O. Douglas. Material from the 1955 trip includes multiple copies of a diary kept by Robert Kennedy, photographs, drafts of lectures and articles completed by Kennedy after the trip, and news clippings about the trip. For material on Kennedy's campaigns for the Senate and the Presidency, see Series 11. Robert F. Kennedy Campaigns . For further material on Robert F. Kennedy's career as attorney general and senator from New York, see the Robert F. Kennedy Papers at the Kennedy Library.
		Series 1.2.10. Jean Kennedy Smith, 1936-1956. Opened 11/2003 About 500 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or produced by Jean Kennedy Smith (1928- ) found in Joseph P. Kennedy's papers, including correspondence, report cards, material related to Jean's work at Merchandise Mart, an article by Jean Kennedy entitled "Museum on the Evolution of Religion and Atheism" and material documenting her wedding to Stephen Smith including announcements, invitations, guest lists, planning material and news clippings. For material on Jean and Eunice's trip to Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East in 1951, along with subsequent writings, see Series 1.2.7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver . For further material on the Merchandise Mart, see Series 3.5. Merchandise Mart .
		Series 1.2.11. Edward M. Kennedy, 1936-1965. Opened 12/2003 About 400 items Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of material relating to or belonging to Edward Moore Kennedy (1932- ) found in Joseph Kennedy’s papers, including correspondence, diaries, articles and drafts, research material, memoranda, schedules, news clippings, and school related material. Subjects covered include Edward Kennedy's education, multiple trips to Europe, his wedding to Joan Bennett on November 29, 1958, articles about Northern Africa, and his 1962 Senate campaign.
Series 2. Early Correspondence, 1890-1967 (bulk dates 1918-1939). Opened 8/2000, 9/2000, 1/2001, 9/2003. About 800 items. Arrangement: alphabetical then chronological. This series contains fragmentary correspondence files of Joseph P. Kennedy’s personal, business and extended family correspondence that describe events such as business deals, stock purchases, and initial acquaintances with individuals who appear throughout the later correspondence series. Correspondents include Lord Beaverbrook, Georges Benda, John Borden, Boston Latin School graduates, Sherman Bowles, Tom Bragg, Crosby Yacht Building staff, Christoper J. Dunphy, Boston mayor and father-in-law John F. Fitzgerald, Harvard University staff and graduates, William Randolph Hearst, Sidney Kent, Boston mayor Andrew Peters, Henry Taylor, Richard Teeling, Chester Wardwell of Patterson, Wylde & Windeler Insurance, Cora Weston, and Henry Young of the Globe Theater. There is information about Kennedy’s father Patrick Joseph Kennedy, his final illness and death including deeds, wills, condolence mail, and hospital and funeral expenses. The series documents early donations by the Kennedy family to different types of charities, including the Catholic Church, children’s hospitals and schools, and Harvard University.
Series 3. Business and Finance, 1894-1974 (bulk dates 1914-1974). Opened 9/2003, 2/2004. About 10,050 items. This artificial series contains information about Joseph P. Kennedy’s early employment in the banking and investment sectors, as well as his later business ventures, securities trading, and general financial records. For information on Kennedy’s involvement in the movie industry, see Series 4. Movie Industry . Within each series, material is arranged largely by topic and type. When there is overlap between folders and locations, cross references have been given in the series description. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed and closed. This includes personal financial information in many cases, as well as income tax information, which is closed per Internal Revenue Service instructions.
	Series 3.1. Columbia Trust Company, 1914-1947. About 250 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. In 1914, Kennedy averted a takeover of the Columbia Trust Company, which his father had co-founded, and became president of the Columbia Trust Company bank. While Kennedy did not remain at Columbia Trust for many years, the institution seems to have remained his primary bank for both personal and professional business throughout his early career. Although he resigned as president in 1917, Kennedy still participated in the management of Columbia Trust through at least the next decade. Alfred Wellington was the treasurer of the bank. The bulk of this series consists of correspondence, however, there are also checks, loan and mortgage documents, legal documents, and financial reports. Much of the correspondence is with treasurer Ethel Turner, who had been Kennedy’s secretary during his tenure as president of the bank and was later promoted to treasurer. She continued, almost exclusively, to facilitate his and his staff’s day-to-day banking needs for many years. Other correspondents include bank officials Alfred Wellington and later Andrew Porter. Topics of letters run the gamut from personal to family to business finances and investments to discussions of stocks, loans, and mortgages, bank management, and financial advice. Most financial records are closed according to deed restrictions. See Series 3.6. Investments and Finances for additional general financial and banking records as well as investment material.
	Series 3.2. Bethlehem Shipbuilding: Fore River Plant, 1917-1921. About 100 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. In October 1917, Kennedy accepted a job as assistant manager at the Bethlehem Steel Fore River Plant, which was booming with the demands of World War I. Seven months after the end of the war, Kennedy resigned and returned to the finance business, accepting a job as stock manager at the Boston firm of Hayden, Stone and Company. The records contained in this series are mostly personal in nature and not very comprehensive regarding Bethlehem Shipbuilding’s Fore River Plant in Quincy, Massachusetts. Topics include his appointment and resignation and his appeals for exemption from the draft. The majority of the substantive papers concern the Fore River baseball team, which played against men from other plants in the Bethlehem Steel League. Kennedy was in charge of organizing the team and keeping track of game schedules and players’ eligibility. Kennedy resigned from Fore River on June 30, 1919 although correspondence extends beyond this date due to a controversy over the managers’ termination of his contract to run the plant’s restaurant. A few items are closed according to deed restrictions.
	Series 3.3. Columbia Advertising Company, 1923-1928. About 175 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. This series consists of material relating to The Columbia Advertising Company, a business venture Joseph P. Kennedy created after leaving Hayden, Stone and Company. The business specialized in “theatrical scenic advertising” and arranged for customers’ advertisements to be painted onto backdrops for the entertainment acts before movies screenings. Most of the letters are business reports from Stephen E. Fitzgibbon, president of the company and a partner in many of Kennedy’s ventures during the 1920s. There are also letters from John M. Slattery, a field agent who traveled to negotiate accounts and oversee installation of the advertisements. Topics of correspondence include clients, accounts, and sales strategies. Some meeting minutes and financial records are also included.
	Series 3.4. Somerset Importers, 1933-1946. About 900 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. This series consists of material related to Somerset Importers, the American agent to sell Haig & Haig Scots Whisky, Gordon’s Gins, Dewar’s Scotch Whiskey, King William IV Scotch Whisky, and Riondo Puerto Rico Rum in the United States. On the eve of the repeal of Prohibition, Kennedy obtained contracts to import several brands of alcohol into the United States during a trip to England in 1933. The majority of the correspondence is incoming mail from Edward (Ted) J. O’Leary, the president of Somerset, who kept Kennedy constantly updated on the state of business by discussing prices, advertising, markets, profits, and the competition. Weekly financial and sales reports allowed Kennedy to closely track the company’s condition. Financial reports include weekly Sales and Billing Reports and Business Reports, and monthly or quarterly Balance Sheets, Advertising Reports, and Operating Statements, which together provide a view of the company’s financial standing for the period of 1937 to 1945. Legal papers consist of business contracts and proposals. Report and Accounts are company audits. The contents of the Sales and Billings folders were removed from a binder, and the figures in these reports are recorded in number of cases as opposed to single bottles or dollar figures. Oversized items have been separated, and some financial material has been closed according to deed restrictions; withdrawal sheets mark these changes.
	Series 3.5. Merchandise Mart, 1945-1974. About 425 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. In 1945, Kennedy bought the Merchandise Mart from Marshall Field and Company. At the time, the Mart was the largest privately owned office building in the world. Kennedy rented the space to a mixture of retail stores and offices, building an image of the Mart as a sophisticated shopping mecca and a modern-day marvel through advertising campaigns and guided tours of the building. This series consists of material related to Merchandise Mart, an office building in Chicago that Joseph P. Kennedy rented to a mixture of retail stores and offices. While Kennedy did not manage the Mart personally, his files contain periodic reports from his general managers, which often concerned leases, tenants, income and expenses, and remodeling and structural improvements to the building. Correspondents include General Manager Wallace O. Ollman, Director of Public Relations Michael V. O’Connell, Comptrollers E.C. Moeloth and Howard E. Otto, and Assistant General Manager R. Sargent Shriver. For additional Shriver correspondence, see Series 1.1. Family Correspondence and Series 9.1.1. Private Citizen Correspondent File . Besides correspondence, there are financial records of expenses and leases, and a wealth of publicity material. This includes publicity for exhibits and events; the Merchandise Mart Reporter , a short-lived newsletter; news clippings; and press releases. Oversized items have been separated, and some financial material has been closed according to deed restrictions; withdrawal sheets mark these changes.
	Series 3.6. Investments and Finances, 1894-1965 (bulk dates 1915-1963). About 4600 items. Arrangement: alphabetical, then chronological. The Investments and Finance series often contains personal and/or family financial information alongside business finances because that was how Kennedy or his staff appears to have managed and organized his money and investments. It is difficult to attempt to distinguish between these categories in most cases. This series is arranged into five subseries: Series 3.6.1. General Banking and Financial Records; Series 3.6.2. Securities; Series 3.6.3. Taxes; Series 3.6.4. Subject Files; and Series 3.6.5. Real Estate. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents concerning detailed personal finances have been removed and closed. This restriction affects a large portion of this series.
		Series 3.6.1. General Banking and Financial Records. About 450 items. Arrangement: alphabetically by type or subject, then chronologically. This series contains account statements, balance sheets, cash books, correspondence, checks, deposit stubs, and receipts relating to Kennedy’s banking and general finances. The monthly account statements include reports on all of his financial assets and liabilities (bank accounts, family expenses, investments, and businesses), and give a comprehensive view of his assets and liabilities from 1932 to 1935. The cash books detail deposits and withdrawals from several of his main accounts and include a brokerage journal from his time as an independent stockbroker. The cash books also record his foreign bank accounts from his time as an ambassador. These ledgers are oversized. Most of this series is closed due to deed restrictions on the release of financial information. For additional banking records and correspondence, see Series 3.1. Columbia Trust Company and Series 8.2.1. Ambassadorial Correspondence File: National City Bank of New York .
		Series 3.6.2. Securities. About 8375 items. Arrangement: alphabetically by type, then chronologically. This series contains account statements, correspondence, legal documents, and receipts relating to Kennedy’s investments in securities (stocks, bonds, and treasury bills). The bulk of the material is receipts from buying or selling securities for Kennedy’s various personal and family accounts. Account statements, showing securities holdings and transactions, were largely kept in original order and then arranged according to brokerage company. Correspondence in this series relates to general investment issues such as Kennedy’s holdings, stock tips, dividends, and trading. Securities receipts tracking buying and selling stocks and bonds form the bulk of this series and are most complete for the 1930s and 1950s. Due to the number of these receipts, they have not been sorted or organized except by year. A group of receipts from 1930-1933 were arranged alphabetically by stock/bond name; that order has been maintained. This series is closed entirely according to deed restrictions.
		Series 3.6.3. Taxes. About 1135 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series contains material related to income taxes on Kennedy’s personal assets, companies, and investments, as well as some material relating to taxes on his employees’ wages. Arrangement is according to tax form type or number, and government level (i.e. federal, state, or local taxes). Most of this series is closed under deed restrictions on the release of personal financial information, and by instructions of the originating agency, the IRS. See also Series 1.2.4. Family Subject Files: John F. Kennedy: Taxes .
		Series 3.6.4. Subject Files. About 410 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject, then type, then chronological. These miscellaneous original subject files relate to Kennedy’s investments and finances. Some date from Kennedy’s work as an independent banker and stockbroker in the 1920s and 1930s. This series also contains material collected for two court cases, as well as correspondence about certain investments and accounts, and company publications most likely collected by Joseph P. Kennedy for research purposes. Kennedy collected news clippings, company reports, and announcements to keep tabs on the stability of companies he invested in and to research potential investments; however, the presence of a certain company’s report here does not necessarily indicate that he held its stock. The Yellow Cab incident is also documented here in two folders of telegrams and correspondence between Kennedy and the company’s owners. As a favor to a friend, Kennedy helped thwart a buyout of the company’s stock by secretly manipulating the stock prices to increase and decrease seemingly at random in April 1924. See also Series 3.7.1. Business and Finance: General Business: Subject Files .
		Series 3.6.5. Real Estate. About 200 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by type or subject, then chronological. This small series consists of material related to Kennedy’s investment in real estate. It is not comprehensive. Of note is the New England Land Company ledgers and the rent register which detail finances relating to Kennedy’s properties. A small group of general correspondence relates to various real estate dealings. Correspondence with John J. Reynolds, one of Kennedy’s real estate brokers and owner of a real estate management company, is more detailed. For additional Reynolds correspondence, see Series 3.5. Business and Finance: Merchandise Mart , and Series 9.1.1. Private Citizen: Correspondent File . The “Proposals” folder contains letters offering or suggesting other real estate investments, most of which Kennedy seems to have refused. As an independent banker, Kennedy seems to have dealt with real estate, especially leases and mortgages, fairly often, as seen from the legal documents. Most of the buildings Kennedy owned or leased seem to be in New York City, although he showed interest in property in other cities.
	Series 3.7. General Business, 1917-1961. This series contains a wide variety of material relating to Kennedy’s general business dealings; his various jobs, companies and business ventures; and jobs/companies about which this archives does not have much material. The material has been arranged into two subseries: Subject Files and Staff Files. Files on Kennedy’s staff and associates not affiliated specifically with only one of Kennedy’s businesses or appointments can be found here.
		Series 3.7.1. Subject Files. About 625 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by type or subject, then chronological. This series contains correspondence, reports, financial papers, legal documents, publications, news clippings, and other assorted documents relating to Kennedy’s general business issues and smaller companies, as well as companies Kennedy may have been thinking about buying. In some cases, there is no explanation of Kennedy’s involvement or role in a certain business; thus the inclusion of a file here rather than in the subject files of the investment series is somewhat arbitrary. Please see Series 3.6.4. Investment Subject Files . Located in this series are letters offering Kennedy opportunities to invest or buy a company are contained in the Business and Investment Proposals files. Many of these offers Kennedy turned down, or there is no evidence of his response. Other files seem to represent business opportunities Kennedy was researching, but often with the outcome that he decided not to undertake the venture. The general correspondence file contains letters not related to a specific business or discussing general business issues and trends. Also of note are the Hearst Newspapers correspondence files from when Kennedy was hired to reorganize the nearly bankrupt company.
		Series 3.7.2. Staff Files. About 1485 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by person or subject, then chronological. This series consists of correspondence and records from Kennedy’s staff and associates whose service spanned more than one of his ventures, including Edward E. Moore, Kennedy’s longtime assistant, C.J. Scollard, Joseph Sheehan, Edward C. Jordan, M. G. Woodward, and James A. Fayne. C. J. Scollard’s correspondence in this series comes from his time as Kennedy’s secretary. Scollard was also involved in other business ventures, mostly notably Pathé, and more of his correspondence can be found in Series 4: Movie Industry . Joseph Sheehan was an associate of Kennedy’s from SEC through the Maritime Commission. The files on Bache and Co., a Wall Street stock brokerage firm, relate to M. G. Woodward (Kennedy’s accountant), Edward C. Jordan, and James A. Fayne, who all served as limited partners in the firm at various times during the early 1950s. These three men worked in Kennedy’s office and dealt primarily with his finances. Correspondence files of the staff at Kennedy’s New York office deal with general business issues, especially banking, in Kennedy’s later business career. Correspondents include M. G. Woodward, Paul E. Murphy, Frank Bedell, Edward C. Jordan, John J. Ford, and Thomas Walsh. For additional correspondence between Kennedy and the New York office, see Series 6. Securities and Exchange Commission ; Series 7. Maritime Commission ; and Series 8.2.5. Ambassadorial Correspondence: Correspondent File, New York, 1938-1940 .
	Series 3.8. Insurance, 1914-1971. About 1200 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject, then chronological. This series consists of property appraisals, balance sheets, payment receipts, insurance documents, and correspondence relating to insurance purchased by Kennedy. Except for the general file and the appraisals, the files relate specifically to life insurance policies. For other types of insurance, such as personal property, see Series 1.2.2. Family Subject Files: Rose F. Kennedy and Series 8.2.2. Ambassadorial Correspondence: Subject File . Appraisals of the Kennedy houses are arranged by location of property, then chronologically. Several appraisals had relating correspondence attached, which is now filed in the same folder. This series is entirely closed according to deed restrictions on the release of personal financial information.
	Series 3.9. Estate, 1961-1974. About 950 items. Arrangement: alphabetical by subject. This series consists of correspondence, originals and copies of legal documents, and miscellaneous related items generated by those individuals overseeing the execution and distribution of Joseph P. Kennedy’s estate after his death on November 18, 1969. The files also contain financial records compiled by his staff starting after his stroke in 1961. In large part, the estate files have retained their original organization and titles, except for “Finances” and “Residency,” which were unlabelled. A majority of the correspondence is between Senator Edward M. Kennedy, executor of his father’s estate, and attorneys Neal P. Rutledge, William Peyton Marin and Carole A. Gardiner. Some legal and financial materials remain closed according to the deed of gift, and the sensitivity of legal material relating to living individuals.
Series 4. Movie Industry, 1919-1957 (bulk dates 1920-1932). Opened 3/2003-2/2004. About 8400 items (10.5 linear feet). The Movie Industry series documents Joseph P. Kennedy's involvement in the film industry. Although the series spans the years 1919 to 1957, the bulk of the material dates from 1920 to 1932. As Kennedy's involvement in the movie industry was varied and extensive, the material has been organized into seven series representing his major film enterprises: Series 4.1. Robertson-Cole/F.B.O. (1920-1932) ; Series 4.2. Fred Thomson Productions (1927-1947) ; Series 4.3. Gloria Swanson (1921-1957 ); Series 4.4. Pathé/R.K.O. (1927-1935) ; Series 4.5. Cinema Credits Corporation (1926-1943) ; Series 4.6. Paramount Pictures (1936-1937) ; and Series 4.7. General (1919-1954) . Researchers should note that as this material was found in great disarray, it has not retained its original order or location. There is overlap between some folders and series, and when possible, cross referencing information has been given in the series description. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax information, closed as per directive of the Internal Revenue Service. Document withdrawal sheets have been inserted in the file where items have been removed.
	Series 4.1. Robertson-Cole/F.B.O., 1920-1932. Opened 3/2003. About 600 items. Arrangement: chronological by subject. This series consists of correspondence, contracts, publicity and financial material related to Joseph P. Kennedy's involvement, purchase and presidency of the Robertson-Cole Corporation (R.C. Pictures Corporation) and Film Booking Offices (F.B.O.). There is also material from a 1926 European trip taken by Kennedy while president of F.B.O.; from the Gower Street Company, a financial corporation associated with F.B.O. founded by Kennedy and Guy Currier; and from "The Story of the Films," a Harvard lecture series coordinated and later published by Kennedy while president of F.B.O. For material detailing F.B.O.'s involvement in the creation of Radio-Keith-Orpheum (R.K.O.), see Series 4.5. Pathé/R.K.O. For material related to Kennedy's other early film pursuits, see Series 4.7. General.
	Series 4.2. Fred Thomson Productions, 1927-1947. Opened 3/2003. About 1150 items. Arrangement: by subject and/or type. This series consists of correspondence, scripts, booking sheets, administrative and publicity material, and financial documents relating to Joseph P. Kennedy’s business relationship with actor Fred Thomson, specifically as embodied in Fred Thomson Productions. The bulk of the series consists of tax, contract and rental statements from Paramount-Publix for the four Kennedy-Thomson films. There is also general correspondence, administrative items and material specifically related to “Jesse James,” “Kit Carson” and “Pioneer Scout;” all films produced by Kennedy and starring Thomson. Oversize items have been filed separately with a separation sheet inserted in the appropriate file describing the item and giving a reference number. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax information, closed as per directive of the Internal Revenue Service. Document withdrawal sheets have been inserted in the file where items have been removed.
	Series 4.3. Gloria Swanson, 1921-1957. Opened 3/2003. About 4800 items. This series consists of correspondence, contracts, financial material (personal and professional), scripts, administrative material, distribution statements, publicity material and photographs relating to Joseph P. Kennedy’s professional relationship with actress Gloria Swanson. After Swanson and Kennedy met in late 1927, Kennedy became deeply involved in Swanson's personal and professional finances and business affairs. The material is arranged into three subseries: Gloria Swanson Personal; Gloria Swanson Productions; and Gloria Productions, which is the most extensive and holds material related to the production company formed by Swanson, Kennedy and his associates in early 1928. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax information, closed as per directive of the Internal Revenue Service.
		Series 4.3.1. Gloria Swanson Personal, 1921-1930. Opened 3/2003. About 1000 items. Arrangement: by subject. This series consists of material relating to Swanson's personal life and finances. It includes a marriage contract, correspondence, bills, insurance policies and material related to Swanson's personal income taxes. The bulk of the series consists of bills, receipts and insurance information. While most bills and insurance policies were paid for out of the Gloria Productions account, they are included in this series as Swanson largely considered Gloria Productions to be her personal account. For further information on Swanson's professional finances through Gloria Productions, see Series 4.3.3. Gloria Productions . In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax information, closed under Internal Revenue Service rules.
		Series 4.3.2. Gloria Swanson Productions, 1925-1930. Opened 3/2003. About 100 items. Arrangement: by subject. This series consists of material related to the production company formed in 1925, when Swanson joined United Artists, including correspondence, administrative and financial material and contracts. This series also contains material related to "The Love of Sunya" and "Sadie Thompson," films created by Gloria Swanson Productions and distributed by United Artists. Much of the material is dated post-1927 as Kennedy and Swanson tried to resolve the debt incurred by Swanson during the production of "Sunya" and "Sadie Thompson." After the creation of Gloria Productions in 1928, much of Gloria Swanson Productions' responsibilities were transferred to the new corporation. For further information, specifically the creation of Gloria Productions and the transfer of authority, see Series 4.3.3. Gloria Productions . In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax information, closed as per directive of the Internal Revenue Service.
		Series 4.3.3. Gloria Productions, 1927-1957 (bulk 1928-1932). Opened 3/2003. About 3600 items. Arrangement: by subject and/or type; films chronological by date of production. This series consists of material from the production company created at the beginning of the Swanson-Kennedy business relationship, responsible for "Queen Kelly," "The Trespasser," and "What a Widow." It includes correspondence, contracts, photographs, scripts, publicity material, memos, balance sheets, bank statements, minutes and administrative materials and distribution statements. Material related to specific films has been filed under the film title; the films are arranged in order of production. General financial information, including balance sheets and bank statements, has been filed after the film-specific material. For further information on the financial status of Gloria Productions, specifically bills, receipts and insurance payments, see the respective folders in Series 4.3.1. Gloria Swanson Personal. In accordance with the donor's deed of gift, documents which would result in unwarranted invasion of personal privacy have been removed. This includes personal income tax infor