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Harold Seidman Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 1984-0031

Scope and Content

The collection contains subject files, correspondence, memoranda, reports, press releases, publications, working papers for publications, lectures, clippings, photographs and memorabilia arranged into five series.

Dates

  • undated, 1930-1980

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Harold Seidman was born in Brooklyn, NY on 2 July 1911. He attended Brown University for both his undergraduate (A.B., 1934) and graduate degrees (M.A., 1935). During the summers, Seidman worked on the editorial staff of the magazine, The Nation. In 1938, he entered the Ph.D. program at Yale University while working for the City of New York's Department of Investigation, under Thomas E. Dewey. From 1940 until 1943, Seidman was awarded the Ph.D. in Government and continued to work for the Department of Investigation, as Director of Research.

In 1943, Seidman became a Management Analyst with the U.S. Bureau of the Budget, as a member of the Government Organization Branch. While a member of the Bureau staff, Seidman was responsible for a variety of public policy issues. He was involved in the creation of the Marshall Plan and the development of the European Recovery Corporation under President Truman. He played a major role in the passage of the St. Lawrence Seaway Project, testified on the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into statehood and on the government's role towards the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal and Ryker Island. Seidman became Chief of the Government Organization Branch in 1961, under President Kennedy, and later Assistant Director of Management and Organization under President Johnson in 1964. He remained with the Bureau until 1968.

After retiring from government service in 1968, Seidman acted as a consultant to the government on numerous projects. He served on President Nixon's ASH Council on Executive Office Reorganization. He consulted for the government in Colombia, Guatemala, Iran, South Vietnam and Turkey. He continued to counsel the U.S. government on matters of government operations.

Seidman is a prolific writer. Between 1930 and 1984, he wrote articles and books on public administration, racketeering, and government organization. His articles have been published in scholarly journals. He also published two books, Labor Czars: A History of Labor Racketeering and Politics (1938) and Politics, Position and Power: The Dynamics of Federal Organization (1970).

Between 1952 and 1984, Seidman brought his varied government experiences to the classroom. He was a Lecturer at George Washington University (1952-1953), Visiting Professor at the University of Southern California (1962), Scholar-in-Residence at the National Academy of Public Administration (1969-1970), a Research Fellow, Visiting Lecturer and Visiting Professor at Leeds University (U.K., 1971-1975) and Professor in the Political Science department at the University of Connecticut (1971- 1984).

Extent

12.85 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut from 1971 to 1984, Seidman was involved with the creation of the Marshall Plan and the development of the European Recovery Corporation under President Truman. He played a major role in the passage of the St. Lawrence Seaway Project, testified on the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into statehood and on the government's role towards the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal and Ryker Island.

Arrangement

Series I: Bureau of the Budget (1937-1973) consists of subject files of materials collected by Seidman while working within this government agency. Materials include correspondence concerning various projects with which Seidman was involved, reports prepared for official use, copies of Congressional bills and hearing testimony, as well as publications and press releases on various topics. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series II: Public Administration Consulting (1968-1979) consists of subject files of materials used by Seidman while consulting on various topics, particularly government organization. Materials include correspondence and memoranda, reports and drafts of reports, publications and copies of Congressional bills. Seidman worked on the Watergate Reorganization and Reform Act and was a member of President' Nixon's ASH Council on Executive Office Reorganization. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Series III: Writings (1930-1980) contain publications written by or about Seidman. As a member of The Nation staff, Seidman wrote editorials. A copy of his Master's thesis, “The International Implications of Italian Fascism,” and a copy of an oral history transcript, located in the Truman Presidential Library, is included. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Research Files (undated) contains the working papers for Seidman's book, Politics, Position and Power. Also included are research materials gathered by the author. The folders reflect Seidman's folder headings and order.

Series V: Personal (undated) consists of correspondence, copies of lectures given by Seidman, newspaper clippings, photographs and memorabilia collected by Seidman over the years.

Acquisition Information

Harold Seidman> donated the bulk of his papers in 1982. Additional materials were donated at the time of his retirement as Professor of Political Science in 1984.

Subjects

Collecting Areas

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Harold Seidman Papers
Status
Published
Author
Archives & Special Collections staff
Date
1986
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository

https://lib.uconn.edu/location/asc/
Contact:
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524

  • Archives & Special Collections, UConn Library
    Dodd Center for Human Rights
  • 405 Babbidge Rd, Unit 1205
    Storrs, CT 06269-120
  • archives@uconn.edu
  • 860-486-2524

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