Robert L. Headley Papers
Scope and Contents
The Robert L. Headley Papers contain reports, subject files, chronological files, correspondence, films, slides, and a large number of oversized maps mostly concerning Saudi Arabia. The materials document the life and work of Headley, an official for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). The collection also includes phonographic records providing Saudi language training for ARAMCO employees. Headley worked in ARAMCO's Arabian research department. The highlight of the collection is the reports concerning political, social, and economic aspects of Saudi Arabia preserved by Headley during his career with ARAMCO. Although Headley worked for the CIA, none of the documents in the Headley Papers concern that agency.
Dates
- Creation: 1924 - 1998
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1950 - 1970
Creator
- Headley, Robert L., -1998 (Person)
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
Robert L. Headley (1920-1998) was an Arabist and Middle East specialist who worked for ARAMCO starting in 1951. Born in Philadelphia, Headley graduated from Dartmouth College. He served as an ambulance driver in 1941 in the North African theater in World War II. Headley subsequently served the in the war with the U.S. 10th Mountain Division.
In the postwar years, Headley studied at the University of Pennsylvania, Oxford University, and at the University of Cairo (where he was a Fulbright Scholar). Beginning in 1951, Headley was a research analyst in ARAMCO's Arabian research department. He was involved with matters of oil and territorial boundaries of Saudi Arabia.
Headley worked for the CIA from 1964 to 1981. He focused on the Middle East and was posted in the U.S. embassies in Oman and Muscat.
Headley edited H. St. John Philby's "Arabian Adventures," and provided essays for the "Encyclopedia of Islam."
Robert L. Headley died on April 18, 1998.
[Source: "Washington Post" obituary April 21, 1998]
Extent
9.2 Cubic Feet (11 Boxes (plus Oversized Maps in Map Cases 34A and 34B))
Language of Materials
English
Arabic
Metadata Rights Declarations
Arrangement
The collection was arranged by an archivist.
Physical Location
Materials are stored offsite and a minimum of three days advance notice is required for use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The bulk of the collection was donated by Hope Headley, the daughter of Robert L. Headley, in 1998. An addendum to this collection was received in 2021, and was likely donated by Hope Headley or another member of the family.
Processing Information
This collection was rehoused into acid-free boxes and folders. Ryan Zohar contributed to this finding aid by translating the titles of several documents in Arabic found in the collection.
Subject
- Arabian American Oil Company (Organization)
- United States. Central Intelligence Agency (Organization)
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- Robert L. Headley Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John Zarrillo made the preliminary resource record and Scott S. Taylor completed it
- Date
- 2026-04
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2026-04: The collection previously consisted of two accessions and one brief resource record. The author updated the brief resource record into a fuller finding aid.
Repository Details
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository
Lauinger Library, 5th Floor
37th and O Streets, N.W.
Washington DC 20057
speccoll@georgetown.edu