Collection: Leo and Jane Codd papers | Georgetown University Archival Resources

Scope and Contents

The Leo and Jane Codd Papers contain correspondence to the Codds, photographs, and manuscripts. Correspondence, manuscripts, and related material is arranged alphabetically within the collection. The Codds lived in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C., and enjoyed travelling, especially to Ireland. Much of their correspondence from friends and acquaintances refers to their trips to Ireland or to their hospitality and cordiality when guests visited them in Washington.

The papers include letters from Major General J.F.C. Fuller (6 letters) and General Douglas MacArthur (1 letter) to Leo Codd. Fuller's letters offer frank observations on the League of Nations, Germany's military build-up and the mood in London in the 1930s. He also refers to his writings, such as Decisive Battles of the Western World. MacArthur's appraisal of his own work and his assertion that "solutions to national defense problems are not evolved or made effective without the earnest and able cooperation of thousands of individuals, both in governmental service and in civilian life" [December 26, 1933] is also of note. Hilaire Belloc's manuscript for a lecture he gave at the Army-Navy Club may also be of interest to military researchers.

Letters from Hilaire Belloc (7 letters), Katherine Bregy, Monsignor Hugh Blunt, Reverend Patrick Carroll, C.S.C., and Sister Miriam may be of interest to those researching Catholic authors, especially Catholic poets. These correspondents, and others in the collection, occasionally refer to work in progress, the "Gallery of Living Catholic Authors," or "The Ave Maria." Those researchers interested in Belloc's life are also encouraged to look at the correspondence from his daughter, Mrs. Eleanor Jebb, or at the manuscript notes for his "Phenomenon" lecture contained in this collection.

Those interested in the history of Georgetown University may wish to look at correspondence from Edward Bunn, S.J., a past President of the University and a close friend of the Codds. Leo Codd served as head of the Georgetown Alumni Association for many years and was selected as a recipient of the John Carroll Award in 1962 for exemplary service to the University. This award is in the collection, as are other personal items such as Codd's manuscripts for various speeches he gave. These manuscripts show Codd's early interest in Jesuit education.

The collection icludes Gertrude Jane Codd's diary account of their trip to Ireland and a copy of her published book of poetry, The Golden Flame.

Although some photographs of Hilaire Belloc may be found with in the correspondence section of the collection, most of the photos are in two folders following the correspondence. These include a photo of John C. Garand, inventor of the M1 rifle. The photos precede books by Leod Codd, Major General Fuller, and Reverend Patrick Carroll, C.S.C., an Irish author.

Dates

1914 - 1973

Conditions Governing Access

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.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Biographical Note

Colonel Leo A. Codd was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1896 and lived in Washington, D.C. until his death on September 4, 1971. He graduated from Loyola College, where he excelled in debating, and then earned three degrees from Georgetown University: a law degree in 1922, a master's in 1923, and a graduate law degree in 1923. As a student at Loyola College in 1913, Codd published poetry that lauded the actions of the Klu Klux Klan in the South. After graduating, he joined the American Ordnance Association, the "only civilian-military society in our country dedicated to industrial preparedness." [Henry J. Wallace, President of the American Ordnance Association]. He retired as Executive Vice President of the Association in 1963. Jane Codd directed her energies to a slightly different channel--she wrote poetry, especially devotional poetry, and held positions in Washington's Catholic Poetry Society.