Martin Agronsky
A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress
Prepared by Donna Ellis
with the assistance of Dan Oleksiw
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
2002
Contact information: http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/mss/address.html
Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Manuscript Division, 2005
Finding aid URL: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms006002
Title: Papers of Martin Agronsky
Span Dates: 1907-1999
Bulk Dates: (bulk 1940-1990)
ID No.: MSS84841
Creator:
Agronsky, Martin, 1915-1999
Extent:
27,700 items;
79 containers;
31.6 linear feet
Language: Collection material in English
Repository:
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.
Abstract: Radio and television journalist. Appointment books, awards, radio, television, and film scripts, speeches, writings, and
research material pertaining to Agronsky's career as a radio and television journalist.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped
by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein.
Names:
Agronsky, Martin.
Eichmann, Adolf, 1906-1962--Trials, litigation, etc.
Subjects:
Cold War
Economics
Foreign correspondents--Asia
Foreign correspondents--Australia
Foreign correspondents--Europe
Politics, Practical
Trials--Israel
World War, 1939-1945--Journalists
Occupation:
Journalists
Provenance: The papers of Martin Agronsky, radio and television journalist, were given to the Library of Congress by his estate in 2001.
Additional material was given in 2003 by David Agronsky.
Transfers: Sound recordings, videocassettes, and a film have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound
Division where they are identified as part of the Martin Agronsky Papers.
Copyright Status:Copyright in the unpublished writings of Martin Agronsky in these papers and in other collections in the custody of the Library
of Congress is reserved. Consult a reference librarian in the Manuscript Division for further information.
Preferred Citation:Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Martin Agronsky Papers,
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
| 1915, Jan. 12 |
Born, Philadelphia, Pa. |
| 1936 |
B.A., Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. |
| 1936-1937 |
Reporter, Palestine Post
|
| 1937-1940 |
Freelance newspaper reporter |
| 1940-1943 |
Foreign correspondent, National Broadcasting Co. |
| 1943 |
Married Helen Smathers (died 1969) |
| 1943-1957 |
Correspondent, American Broadcasting Co., Washington, D.C. |
| 1952 |
Awarded George Foster Peabody Award |
| 1957-1964 |
Correspondent, National Broadcasting Co. |
| 1961 |
Awarded Alfred I. DuPont Award |
| 1964-1968 |
Bureau chief, Paris, France, and moderator of “Face the Nation,” Columbia Broadcasting System |
| 1968 |
Received Emmy Award |
| 1969 |
News anchor, WTOP-TV, Washington, D.C. |
| 1969-1987 |
Host, “Agronsky and Company,” WETA-TV, Washington, D.C. |
| 1971-1975 |
Host, “Martin Agronsky's Evening Edition” and “Agronsky at Large,” Public Broadcasting System |
| 1999, July 25 |
Died, Washington, D.C. |
The papers of Martin Agronsky (1915-1999) span the years 1907-1999, with the bulk of the material dating from 1940 to 1990.
The papers are organized in the following series: Correspondence, Speeches and Writings File, and a Miscellany consisting primarily of appointment books, awards, biographical material, and items related to organizations with which Agronsky
was associated.
The Correspondence series contains primarily letters written by colleagues and the public to Agronsky in response to his newscasts. Incoming
and outgoing letters and telegrams document communications between Agronsky and his network supervisors regarding news assignments.
The Speeches and Writings File, especially the scripts of Agronsky's newscasts, forms the centerpiece of the papers. The material dates from his career
as a foreign correspondent in Europe, Australia, and Asia during World War II and continues through the Cold War years. His
coverage of the Adolf Eichmann trial in Israel won him the Alfred I. DuPont Award in 1962. Other scripts include his work
on documentary films. The speech file contains correspondence, notes, and texts pertaining to his lectures on political and
economic subjects. Research material includes news clippings, notes, and printed matter relating to the subjects on which
Agronsky frequently lectured.
The collection is arranged in three series:
| Container |
Series |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| BOX 1-12
|
|
|
Correspondence and memoranda between Agronsky and his friends, colleagues, and the public relating to professional activities.
|
|
Arranged chronologically. |
|
| BOX 13-74
|
|
|
Broadcast and film scripts, magazine articles, research material, and speeches. |
|
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically. |
|
| BOX 75-79
|
|
|
Appointment books, awards, biographical material, lawsuits, and correspondence relating to organizations and television programs.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
|
|
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically. |
| Container |
Contents |
|
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|
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|
|
| BOX 1-12
|
Correspondence, 1907-1991, n.d.
|
|
Correspondence and memoranda between Agronsky and his friends, colleagues, and the public relating to professional activities.
|
|
Arranged chronologically. |
|
| BOX 1
|
1907, 1939-1942 |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
1943 |
|
|
Jan.-Apr. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 2
|
June-Dec. |
|
|
1944 |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
|
1945 |
|
|
Jan.-Apr. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 3
|
May-Sept. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 4
|
Oct.-Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1946-1947 |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
| BOX 5
|
1948-1949 |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
|
1950 |
|
|
Jan.-Apr. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 6
|
May-Dec. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
1951 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
1952 |
|
|
Jan.-Mar. |
|
| BOX 7
|
Apr.-Dec. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
1953 |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 8
|
1954 |
|
|
Jan.-May |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 9
|
June-Dec. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
1955 |
|
|
Jan.-Mar. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 10
|
Apr.-Dec. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
1956-1971 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 11
|
1972-1981 |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 12
|
1982-1991, n.d. |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 13-74
|
Speeches and Writings File, 1939-1996, n.d.
|
|
Broadcast and film scripts, magazine articles, research material, and speeches. |
|
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically. |
|
| BOX 13
|
Broadcast scripts |
|
|
American Broadcasting Co. |
|
|
“At Issue” |
|
|
Correspondence and financial records, 1953-1954, n.d. |
|
|
Interviews, 1953-1954 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
Prospective topics, 1951-1954, n.d. |
|
|
Daily news |
|
|
1943 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 14
|
ca. 1943 |
|
(9 folders)
|
| BOX 15
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
1944 |
|
|
Jan.-May |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 16
|
June-Sept. |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 17
|
Oct.-Dec. |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
|
1945 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 18
|
Mar.-Aug. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 19
|
Sept.-Dec. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
1946 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 20
|
Mar.-Aug. |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 21
|
Sept.-Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1947 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
| BOX 22
|
Mar.-June |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 23
|
July-Nov. |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 24
|
Dec. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
1948 |
|
|
Jan.-Mar. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 25
|
Apr.-Sept. |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 26
|
Oct.-Dec. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
1949 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 27
|
Mar.-June |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 28
|
July-Oct. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 29
|
Nov.-Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1950 |
|
|
Jan. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 30
|
Feb.-May |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 31
|
June-Sept. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
Oct. |
|
|
2-14 |
|
| BOX 32
|
16-31 |
|
|
Nov.-Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1951 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
| BOX 33
|
Mar.-June |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 34
|
July-Oct. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 35
|
Nov.-Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1952 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
| BOX 36
|
Mar.-May |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 37
|
June-Nov. |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 38
|
Dec. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
1953 |
|
|
Jan.-May |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 39
|
June-Dec. |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
|
1954 |
|
|
Jan. |
|
| BOX 40
|
Feb.-July |
|
(9 folders)
|
|
| BOX 41
|
Aug.-Dec. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
1955 |
|
|
Jan.-Feb. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 42
|
Mar.-Aug. |
|
(11 folders)
|
|
| BOX 43
|
Sept.-Nov. |
|
(8 folders)
|
|
| BOX 44
|
Dec. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
1956 |
|
|
Jan. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
Feb. |
|
|
1-14 |
|
| BOX 45
|
16-29 |
|
|
Mar.-Apr. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 46
|
May-June |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
July |
|
|
2-21 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 47
|
23-31 |
|
|
Aug.-Nov. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
| BOX 48
|
Dec. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1957 |
|
|
Jan.-May |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 49
|
Program sponsors |
|
|
Cancellations, 1946-1956 |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
Correspondence, 1950-1955 |
|
|
Expenses, 1943-1953 |
|
|
Lists, 1945-1954, n.d. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 50
|
Miscellany, 1947-1955, n.d. |
|
|
Radio station affiliates, 1950-1955 |
|
|
Sales, 1946-1956 |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
Sponsor identifications, 1953-1955 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 51
|
National Broadcasting Co. |
|
|
Daily news |
|
|
1939-1940 |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
1941 |
|
|
Jan.-July |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 52
|
Aug.-Oct. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
1942 |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
| BOX 53
|
1957-1968 |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
“Emphasis,” 1960-1964, n.d. |
|
|
“Look Here” |
|
|
Correspondence, 1957-1958, 1996, n.d. |
|
|
Interviews |
|
|
1957 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 54
|
1958, n.d. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
“The Trial of Adolf Eichmann” |
|
|
Production material, 1961 |
|
|
Scripts, 1961 |
|
|
Unidentified scripts, n.d. |
|
|
Miscellany |
|
|
Films |
|
|
American Workmanship, 1976
|
|
|
And One to Grow On, 1979-1980, n.d.
|
|
|
Coal slurry pipeline, 1980 |
|
|
Communications Workers of America, 1982, n.d. |
|
|
CSX-Richmond Corp., 1984 |
|
| BOX 55
|
First Monday in October, 1980
|
|
|
Hadassah Medical Organization, 1985 |
|
|
It's Child's Play, 1961
|
|
|
A Matter of Commitment, 1983
|
|
|
The National Financial Planning Quiz, 1981 |
|
|
Nazareth to Bethlehem travelog, 1961 |
|
|
Magazine articles |
|
|
“I Will Be Back,” n.d. |
|
|
Life project on Iran, 1947, n.d.
|
|
|
“Iran--Urgent,” n.d. |
|
|
Miscellaneous, 1943-1952, n.d. |
|
|
“The Partition of Palestine,” 1937 |
|
|
“The Public and the Act,” 1970 |
|
|
“The Voice of the Supreme Court,” 1955-1956 |
|
|
Radio and television guest appearances, 1968, 1979-1988 |
|
| BOX 56
|
Research material |
|
|
Abortion, 1964, 1974, n.d. |
|
|
American Jewish Congress, 1963-1964 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
Atomic energy, 1947-1950, n.d. |
|
|
Automotive advertising, 1956 |
|
|
Battery additive material, 1949-1953, n.d. |
|
|
Bernstein, Leonard, 1976 |
|
|
Bomb shelters, 1961, n.d. |
|
|
Burch, Dean, 1964, n.d. |
|
|
Burrows, Abe, n.d. |
|
| BOX 57
|
Carter, Jimmy, 1977, n.d. |
|
|
Censorship, 1952 |
|
|
Central America, 1985 |
|
|
Central Intelligence Agency, 1965-1966, 1974-1977, 1985, n.d. |
|
|
Civil liberties, 1949-1955, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 58
|
Communism, 1948-1955, 1963, 1973, n.d. |
|
|
Condon, Edward U., 1948-1949, n.d. |
|
|
Crossfield, Scott, 1955-1958, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
Cuban missile crisis, 1963, n.d. |
|
|
Democratic Party, 1944, 1952, 1981 |
|
|
Disarmament, 1983-1986, n.d. |
|
|
Dulles, John Foster, 1952-1957, n.d. |
|
|
Eastern Europe, 1940-1942, n.d. |
|
| BOX 59
|
Economics, 1952-1955, 1977-1978, n.d. |
|
|
Education, 1952-1954, 1963, n.d. |
|
|
Eichmann, Adolf, trial of |
|
|
Court documents, 1961 |
|
(5 folders)
|
| BOX 60
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
Fact sheets and news releases, 1960-1961, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
Memoranda and notes, 1960-1961, n.d. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 61
|
Printed matter, 1947-1961, n.d. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
Elections |
|
|
1948 |
|
| BOX 62
|
1950-1964, 1980-1988, n.d. |
|
(7 folders)
|
|
|
Fast, Howard, 1957, n.d. |
|
|
Finance |
|
|
1945-1954 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 63
|
1957, 1969, n.d. |
|
|
Foreign policy, 1950-1955, 1963-1967, 1978, 1984-1986, n.d. |
|
|
Fulbright, J. William, 1959-1965, n.d. |
|
|
Germany, 1949-1954, 1961-1964, n.d. |
|
|
Goldwater, Barry, 1964, n.d. |
|
|
Humphrey, Hubert H., 1963-1968, n.d. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
International languages, 1951-1954, n.d. |
|
| BOX 64
|
Israel, 1958-1988, n.d. |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
|
Kennedy, John F., assassination investigation, 1970 |
|
|
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1956-1957, n.d. |
|
|
Labor organizations, 1952-1964, 1977, n.d. |
|
|
Lattimore, Owen, 1953-1954, n.d. |
|
| BOX 65
|
League of Nations, 1937, 1974 |
|
|
Leopold, Nathan F., 1957, n.d. |
|
|
McCarthy, Joseph R., 1954, 1962, n.d. |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
Notes, n.d. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
Printed matter |
|
|
1948-1955 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 66
|
1956-1980, 1986, n.d. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
National Endowment for the Arts, 1976, n.d. |
|
|
Nicaragua, 1985 |
|
|
Nuclear weapons, 1946-1955, 1964, 1978, n.d. |
|
|
Pearson, Lester Bowles, 1954-1961, n.d. |
|
|
Perkins, Anthony, 1958, n.d. |
|
| BOX 67
|
Post World War II economy, 1949-1954, n.d. |
|
|
Public broadcasting, 1954, 1973, n.d. |
|
|
Racial discrimination, 1954, 1963-1968, n.d. |
|
|
Rayburn, Sam, 1961, n.d. |
|
|
Republic of the Congo, 1961-1962 |
|
|
Scientists and national security, 1948-1954, n.d. |
|
|
Southeast Asia, 1950-1953, 1961-1971, n.d. |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
|
Stanley, Kim, n.d. |
|
| BOX 68
|
Stevenson, Adlai E. (1900-1965), 1952, n.d. |
|
|
Summit meetings, 1960, 1986, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
Taft, Robert A. (1889-1953), n.d. |
|
|
Tennessee Valley Authority, 1954 |
|
|
USSR, 1953, 1961-1964, 1979-1980, n.d. |
|
|
U.S. Senate, 1952, 1964-1966, n.d. |
|
|
U.S. Supreme Court |
|
|
1947-1955 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 69
|
1956, 1968, 1974-1977, n.d. |
|
|
Violence and television, 1969-1977, n.d. |
|
|
Von Braun, Wernher, 1957 |
|
|
Voskovec, George, immigration case, 1950 |
|
|
Webb, Jack, n.d. |
|
|
Weil, Joseph, 1946-1954 |
|
|
Welfare, 1945 |
|
|
Women's liberation, 1975-1977, n.d. |
|
|
World War II, 1943-1944, n.d. |
|
|
Yates, Sidney R., 1957, 1978 |
|
|
Yugoslavia, 1955 |
|
| BOX 70
|
Speech file |
|
|
1942, 1947-1975 |
|
(12 folders)
|
|
| BOX 71
|
1976-1980 |
|
(10 folders)
|
|
|
1981 |
|
|
Jan.-Apr. |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
| BOX 72
|
May-Dec. |
|
(5 folders)
|
|
|
1982 |
|
|
Jan.-Sept. |
|
(13 folders)
|
|
| BOX 73
|
Oct.-Dec. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
1983-1985 |
|
(11 folders)
|
|
| BOX 74
|
1986-1990, n.d. |
|
(20 folders)
|
|
| BOX 75-79
|
Miscellany, 1933-1999, n.d.
|
|
Appointment books, awards, biographical material, lawsuits, and correspondence relating to organizations and television programs.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
|
|
Arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically. |
|
| BOX 75
|
Appointment books |
|
|
1982-1986 |
|
(3 folders)
|
|
| BOX 76
|
1987 |
|
|
Awards |
|
|
Alfred I. DuPont Award, 1961 |
|
|
George Foster Peabody Award, 1952-1953, n.d. |
|
|
Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., 1995 |
|
|
Heywood Broun Award, 1948-1949 |
|
|
Miscellaneous, 1952-1953, 1984, n.d. |
|
|
National Headliners Club, 1948 |
|
|
Sigma Delta Chi Radio Award, 1949 |
|
|
Biographical material |
|
|
1933, 1939-1944, 1950-1959 |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
| BOX 77
|
1960-1991, 1999, n.d. |
|
(6 folders)
|
|
|
Jerusalem Post, 1945-1953
|
|
|
Lawsuits |
|
|
Alexander v. Agronsky, 1981-1982 |
|
|
Reed v. Agronsky, ca. 1944 |
|
| BOX 78
|
Organizations |
|
|
National Theatre Corp., 1980-1986, n.d. |
|
(4 folders)
|
|
|
Radio Correspondents Association, 1948-1953, n.d. |
|
|
Photographs, 1939, 1950-1983, n.d. |
|
|
Telephone messages, 1980-1981 |
|
| BOX 79
|
Television programs |
|
|
“Agronsky and Company,” 1974-1987, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
“Evening Edition,” 1971-1976, n.d. |
|
(2 folders)
|
|
|
“Hindsight,” n.d. |
|
|
Proposals, 1963, 1988 |
|
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