Olive B. Lewis papers
Collection — Folder: S0833
Identifier: S0833
Scope and Contents
This collection contains photocopies of propaganda publications collected by Olive B. Lewis, ranging from 1940 to 1941 and prior to the United States entering World War II. Included in the collection are copies of "What Can I Do?" by the America First Committee of Indianapolis; a Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies pamphlet with suggestions for local chapters; "Hitler Spy...or Loyal American?" by Loyal Americans of German Descent; "Facts About the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies"; "Let's Use Our Borrowed Time" by Thomas Caldecot Chubb; "U.S. Oil is Ferried to Japan: Tankers Loading Millions of Gallons Here" by Percy Montgomery; "We Must Deliver the Goods to Britain Now!"; "We Don't Want Hitler in America!"; "What Hitler's Victory Would Mean to American Labor!"; and other advertisements and propaganda publications. The collection also contains "Britain Speaks," a pamphlet printed by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) regarding broadcasts for listeners in North America during the war.
Dates
- circa 1939-1941
Creator
- Lewis, Olive B. (Compiler, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies was organized in May, 1940. William Allen White, editor of the Emporia (KS) Gazette, was the initial chair of the national organization. The bi-partisan group was "pro-British" and argued against United States neutrality and supported aiding Britain against Germany.
The Indiana Committee for National Defense was also organized in 1940 and its purpose was to "promote the common security and to preserve the blessings of American liberty". The committee used radio, newspaper, and speaking events to promote the group's belief of presenting a united front against aggression.
Sources:
Information within collection.
Simkins, John. "Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies." Spartacus Educational. Last modified August 2014. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://spartacus-educational.com/SPYcda.htm.
Indiana Committee for National Defense.The Constitution of The Indiana committee for National Defense. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Committee for National Defense, 1940.
The Indiana Committee for National Defense was also organized in 1940 and its purpose was to "promote the common security and to preserve the blessings of American liberty". The committee used radio, newspaper, and speaking events to promote the group's belief of presenting a united front against aggression.
Sources:
Information within collection.
Simkins, John. "Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies." Spartacus Educational. Last modified August 2014. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://spartacus-educational.com/SPYcda.htm.
Indiana Committee for National Defense.The Constitution of The Indiana committee for National Defense. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Committee for National Defense, 1940.
Biographical Note
Mary Olive (Beldon) Lewis was born on December 27, 1888 in Marshall County, Indiana to Wert A. and Mary Rose Beldon. After graduating from Plymouth High School, she taught school for three years and then entered Indiana University to study economics and social science. Lewis was a well-known speaker and political activist who was active in the women's suffrage movement and the Democratic Party. She was also an active member of the Indiana Committee for National Defense and served as chair of its speaker's bureau. Lewis married Walter O. Lewis on November 9, 1914. and they had two children. She passed away at the age of 84 on September 13, 1973.
Sources:
Ancestry.com. "Mary Olive Beldon." Indiana Marriages, 1810-2001. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mary Olive Lewis." Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
"Mrs. Olive B. Lewis Speaks Here Nov. 18." The Franklin (IN) Evening Star, November 14, 1941.
"Mrs. Olive Lewis Dies; Was Political Activist." Indianapolis Star, September 15, 1973.
Sources:
Ancestry.com. "Mary Olive Beldon." Indiana Marriages, 1810-2001. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "Mary Olive Lewis." Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. Accessed May 8, 2017. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.
"Mrs. Olive B. Lewis Speaks Here Nov. 18." The Franklin (IN) Evening Star, November 14, 1941.
"Mrs. Olive Lewis Dies; Was Political Activist." Indianapolis Star, September 15, 1973.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Mrs. Olive B. Lewis.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2017/05/09 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2017/05/09 by Laura Eliason.
Creator
- Lewis, Olive B. (Compiler, Person)
- Title
- Olive B. Lewis papers
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
