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MEDIA ADVISORY

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM HOSTS PANEL DISCUSSION ON AMERICAN DIPLOMAT JAMES GROVER MCDONALD

New Museum-Published Book of McDonald’s Papers, “Advocate for the Doomed,” Provides Insight Into Early Nazi Regime and Jewish Refugee Crisis Through McDonald’s Meetings with Hitler, Mussolini, FDR and Others

June 14, 2007

WHAT:

In 2004, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum acquired the newly discovered diaries and papers of American diplomat James Grover McDonald. McDonald held a number of important diplomatic posts – from League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the first U.S. Ambassador to Israel – and met with many of the leading figures of his day, including Hitler, Mussolini, the future Pope Pius XII, Franklin Roosevelt, David Ben-Gurion, and many others.

At the close of each day, he meticulously recorded his meetings in his diaries which his daughter donated to the Museum. They provide major insights into the early history of the Nazi regime, the reactions of political and religious leaders worldwide to the persecution of Germany’s Jews, the founding of the State of Israel and more.

In June 2007, the Museum published the first of three volumes of McDonald’s papers, “Advocate for the Doomed.” The book’s editors will discuss their findings while researching the collection.

WHO:

Richard Breitman, Professor of History, American University, and Editor-in-Chief of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Severin Hochberg, Historian, Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Barbara McDonald Stewart, Lecturer in History, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, and daughter of James G. McDonald

WHEN:

Friday, June 15, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE:

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Helena Rubinstein Auditorium
100 Raoul Wallenberg PL SW
Metro: Smithsonian, Orange/Blue lines

MEDIA:

Media interested in attending the event should contact Andy Hollinger at 202-488-6133 or ahollinger@ushmm.org.