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This series contains both biographical and autobiographical materials, as well as documents pertaining to Kotschnig's early involvement with the International Student Service (I. S. S.), as well as his later diplomatic career with the U. S. Department of State and the United Nations. In addition to copies of Kotschnig's unpublished autobiography, entitled "The Quest for Survival", the series also contains a four-part chronology of Kotschnig's life, 1901-1956, prepared by his father, Ignaz Kotschnig. The collection also contains numerous clippings, 1927-1972, which document Kotschnig's activities, including his lectures and reviews of his books.

The correspondence files contain circa 10,910 items of correspondence, arranged in four sub-series: correspondence with individuals connected with the International Student Service and related organizations; general correspondence files; correspondence concerning lecture engagements; Kotschnig's correspondence dating from his years of service with the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations.

The organizational files contain a wealth of material concerning various organizations in which Kotschnig participated or was peripherally involved. The bulk of the materials deal with the International Student Service and related organizations and includes minutes of meetings, agenda, financial reports, newsletters and published materials.

This series dates predominately from the years 1933-1944, the years when Kotschnig was both on the faculties of Smith and Mt. Holyoke Colleges and also lecturing throughout the country. The lectures are mainly in the form of handwritten notes, with very few actual typewritten texts. Also in this series are course lecture notes from Kotschnig's courses at Smith, Mt. Holyoke and Harvard-Boston University Extension School, 1937-1944.

This series contains typescripts of chapters of Kotschnig's Unemployment in the Learned Professions, his chapter contributions to the Brookings Institution study published under the title The United Nations and Promotion of the General Welfare, as well as typescripts of early articles in German, typescripts in English of numerous articles, speeches written for others (Secretary of State, Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.), and speeches delivered at official Department of State and United Nations functions (including speeches before the United Nations Economic and Social Council, UNESCO, The Economic Commission for Africa and the Far East, ECAFE, and The Economic Commission for Africa, ECA, sessions).

This series contains typescripts of statements, speeches and essays by such individuals as André de Blonay, Alfred E. Cohn, Alvin Johnson, Harper Poulson, Elfan Rees, George N. Shuster as well as others connected with the International Student Service, United Nations organizations and Department of State.

The publications of Walter M. Kotschnig range from book-length publications to articles in journals and newspapers.

The photograph collection, with the exception of a number of professional portrait photographs of Kotschnig, dates predominately from the years 1944-1972 and contains numerous photographs of official United Nations gatherings and especially sessions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Included in the collection are approximately 385 informal snapshots, many with U.N. colleagues and dignitaries. Many of the photographs were identified by Kotschnig on the verso of the photo.

The subject files contain general materials pertaining to the United Nations, as well as specific materials pertaining to sessions of the Economic and Social Council, and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

The pamphlets in the series focus on topics such as narcotics, the United Nations and educational issues. Thirty pamphlets cover topics relating to the International Student Service, including annual reports and conference publications.