Manuscripts: "Vignettes" - Correspondence., 01/01/1978-12/31/1980

File — Box: 13, Folder: 2

Identifier: 61917

Collection-level Scope and Content Note

From the Collection:

The J. Graham Parsons Papers consist of personal and professional correspondence files, memoranda, and photographs accumulated by Ambassador Parsons during his many years as a U.S. diplomat. Of note are files from his tenure as ambassador to Laos (1956-58); to Sweden (1961-67); and as deputy U.S. representative at the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks held in Vienna and Helsinki (1970-72).

The collection is enriched by many original signed letters from notable names in U.S. diplomacy including Dean Acheson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Joseph C. Grew, Herbert Hoover, Lyndon B. Johnson, Douglas MacArthur II, Myron C. Taylor, Harry S. Truman; as well as other famous individuals with whom Ambassador Parsons was acquainted, such as Bing Crosby, John Glenn, and Rose Kennedy.

Articles and speeches by Ambassador Parsons on Southeast Asia reveal that he was a strong advocate of the Eisenhower administration's foreign policies, strongly supporting the Chinese nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek against communism. Ambassador Parsons' writings also reflect his experiences as a participant in negotiations for diplomatic agreement between political factions in Laos during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The collection is arranged into 16 series -

Series 1 Foreign Service Regions: postings from 1947-1969 (see chronology below for more details). Series 2 The Joseph C. Grew Years 1932-36 Series 3 Foreign Service 1936-47 Series 4 Foreign Service 1947-72 Series 5 Foreign Service (Miscellaneous): primarily relating to the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). Series 6 Subject Files: miscellaneous topics, including material on the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty (1984-90). Series 7 Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Series 8 Personal Correspondence: Individuals (1973-91) Series 9 Personal Correspondence: Alphabetical (pre-1935/post 1973 retirement years) Series 10 Parsons Family Correspondence Series 11 Speeches and Speech Files Series 12 Diaries/interviews/manuscripts/notebooks Series 13 Photographs Series 14 Awards/certificates Series 15 Printed matter including newspaper/journal article clippings Series 16 Oversized (photographs, awards, souvenirs, map of Laos)

Dates

01/01/1978-12/31/1980

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 22 Linear Feet (15 boxes)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Shelf Location

16/05/04

Container Summary

Correspondence to J. Graham Parsons from friends and editors concerning the former's proposal to write and publish a series of vignettes/reminiscences relating to his experiences as a U.S. diplomat. Includes correspondence with Martin Arnold (asst. ed., New York Times Magazine); William F. Bundy (ed., Foreign Affairs journal); C. Michael Curtis (assoc. ed., The Atlantic Monthly); John K. Emmerson; Ralph Hilton (author); Peter F. Krogh (dean of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service); Jack K. McFall; Hamilton Southworth; Burke Wilkinson; Takeshi Yasukawa; J. Owen Zurhellen, Jr. Includes outline and notes of proposed vignettes.

Subjects and Associated Physical Materials

PARSONS, J. GRAHAM - MANUSCRIPTS: CORRESPONDENCE 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

PARSONS, J. GRAHAM - MANUSCRIPTS: "VIGNETTES" - CORRES. 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

ARNOLD, MARTIN - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

BUNDY, WILLIAM F. - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

CURTIS, C. MICHAEL - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

EMMERSON, JOHN K. - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

HILTON, RALPH - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

KROGH, PETER F. - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

MCFALL, JACK K. - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

SOUTHWORTH, HAMILTON - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

WILKINSON, BURKE - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

YASUKAWA, TAKESHI - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed

ZURHELLEN, OWEN - CORRES. TO PARSONS, J. GRAHAM 1978-80: Typed Letter Signed