Walter Maria Kotschnig papers,
- Author:
- Kotschnig, Walter M. (Walter Maria), 1901-1985.
- Call Number:
- MSS GER-053 local
- Abstract:
- The Walter Maria Kotschnig papers focus on two major aspects of Kotschnig's life, his early career with the International Student Service and his diplomatic career with the United States Department of State and the United Nations, in particular his representation on the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The materials are primarily in English and German. The materials in the collection from Kotschnig's years of service with the International Student Service are extensive and include correspondence, manuscripts, publications and minutes of meetings. In addition, Kotschnig's speeches and lectures, which also date predominantly from the years 1936-1944, deal with educational issues as well as with anti-Hitler and anti-National Socialism topics. Kotschnig's later diplomatic career is also represented in the collection. The collection contains primarily de-classified items and personal correspondence during these years, however, a collection of over 1000 photographs in the collection document Kotschnig's diplomatic career. Included are photographs of Kotschnig with other dignitaries and heads of state at sessions of the U.N. Economic and Social Council, as well as meetings of the UN Commission to Study War Devastated Areas, the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
- Historical Note:
- Walter Maria Kotschnig was born in Judenburg, Austria on April 9, 1901. He attended elementary school (Volksschule) in his hometown of Judenburg and continued his secondary school studies (Realgymnasium) in Graz, Austria, where he headed one of the first student governments organized in Austria. Kotschnig continued his university studies at the University of Graz, moving to the University of Kiel in 1922 where he received his Ph. D. in political science in 1924. In the same year, he married Elined Prys, a psychological consultant from Talgarth, Wales. In 1925 Kotschnig joined the International Student Service in Geneva, Switzerland, a commitment which lasted nearly twenty years. During the following year, Kotschnig spent three months touring the United States speaking on behalf of the International Student Service. The next year (1927) he became General Secretary of the organization, a position he maintained until 1934, when he became involved with activities of the League of Nations, serving as Director of the High Commission for Refugees from Germany from 1934 to 1935. In 1944, Kotschnig began his diplomatic career with his appointment to U.S. government service as a specialist on international organization. In this capacity, he attended the Dumbarton Oaks Conferences in Washington, D.C. (1944) and in San Francisco (1945) in preparation for the establishment of the United Nations, as well as preparatory conferences for the formation of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Over the next three decades, Kotschnig served as Director of the Office of International Economic and Social Affairs (1949-1961), Special Advisor in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs (1962-1965), and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations (1965-1971).
- Physical Description:
- 22.5 cu. ft
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted.
- Notes:
- Part of the German and Jewish Intellectual E´migre´ Collection. local
- Subjects:
- World War, 1939-1945 Refugees, Authors, German 20th century, Exiles' writings, German, Authors, German, Exiles' writings, German, Politics and government, and Refugees
- Genres/Forms:
- Manuscripts (document genre) aat, Correspondence. aat, and Articles. aat
- Names:
- Kotschnig, Walter M. (Walter Maria), 1901-1985 and Kotschnig, Walter M. (Walter Maria), 1901-1985
- Corporate Names:
- United Nations and United Nations
- Chronological Terms:
- 1900-1999 fast
- Geographic Terms:
- Germany Politics and government 20th century and Germany
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