New York State Governor W. Averell Harriman Pre-Gubernatorial Files

Unarranged.

Before W. Averell Harriman became the governor of New York, he held a variety of positions both domestically and internationally. He was a businessman in the banking industry and worked as Vice-President and then Director of the Union Pacific Railroad in the United States. He also went on to represent the United States as a minister and ambassador to Great Britain and to the Soviet Union. He worked as a special assistant to President Harry Truman for two years from 1950-1951, and was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President in 1952.

This series documents W. Averell Harriman's business and political endeavors between 1950 and 1954 leading up to his candidacy as governor of New York State. The records include printed copies of articles written and speeches delivered by Harriman during 1952 and 1953; correspondence and documents relating to the Thomas K. Finletter study and policy group, 1953-1954; correspondence with Leon H. Keyserling and copies of Mr. Keyserling's speeches and reports, 1953-1954; correspondence with the Council of Foreign Relations, Inc., of which Harriman was a director, 1953-1954; and campaign material, sample ballots, newspaper clippings, and "Harriman for President" press releases relating to the 1952 Washington, D.C. presidential primary.

B1947Series B1947, Campaign records of Governor W. Averell Harriman, contains related records.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was transferred to Syracuse University from Governor Harriman in 1959, and was transferred to the New York State Archives in 2006. It was accessioned in December 2011.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.