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Russell Stetler Papers
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Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
This collection consists of documents created and collected by Russell Stetler, Class of 1966. Stetler and other Haverford students played an early role in opposing the war in Vietnam, documented in leaflets, petitions, and other materials. Stetler wrote to Bertrand Russell, who also opposed the war and supported the student efforts. Copies of multiple letters from Bertrand Russell are included in the collection. The antiwar efforts aroused the ire of members of the Philadelphia Board of Education, which had awarded a modest scholarship to Stetler. Haverford's president and two faculty members testified in support of his right to dissent at a school board hearing, where Stetler was represented by a volunteer lawyer from the ACLU. Russell Stetler was the National Mitigation Coordinator for federal death penalty projects at the Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel from 2005 to 2020.
These documents created and collected by Russell Stetler pertain to the early role of Haverford students in opposing the war in Vietnam, Haverford's support of Stetler's right to dissent when his scholarship from the Philadelphia Board of Education was threatened because of his antiwar activities, Stetler's correspondence with the English philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell, and Stetler's essay on the Vietnam war that was ultimately published in a pamphlet by the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation. The collection also includes the post-hearing legal brief by ACLU lawyer Richard Kirscher and newspaper clippings from the three Philadelphia daily newspapers and other press sources on the antiwar efforts and scholarship controversy.
Processed by Elizabeth Jones-Minsinger, completed April 2022.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
- Finding Aid Author
- Elizabeth Jones-Minsinger
- Finding Aid Date
- April, 2022
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
-
Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)
Collection Inventory
Statement of Student Committee to Send Medical Aid to the Front of National Liberation of South Vietnam, ca. 1964
"We Won't Go" [to Vietnam war] petition signed by 39 Haverford students and others, 1964
Haverford Twopenny Press, "Vietnam: Inside and Out," February 28, 1964
The May 2nd Committee organizational materials, 1964
Russell Stetler, "Facts Behind War in Vietnam," Young Socialist, April-May 1964
Notes for Stetler's seminar presentation at Swarthmore (Fall 1964) on guerrrilla warfare
Stetler article on scholarship case in
Rights, published by civil liberties group in New York City, October-November 1964Two copies of the
National Guardian reprint special with articles from January 2 to March 21, 1964Bertrand Russell and William Warbey, "Vietnam and Lao," 1964
I.F. Stone's Weekly, August 24, 1964
The Minority of One, October 1964
The Haverford News, February 28, 1964: Salner, Twopenny Press founded for political discussion
Swarthmore Phoenix, March 10, 1964: "Educational program pointed at U.S. South Vietnam policy"
The Militant, March 23, 1964: "Vietnam and Peace Movement"
Hsinhua News Agency, March 28, 1964: "American students condemn U.S. war of intervention in South Vietnam"
The Haverford News, April 10, 1964: "Students and Prof Protest U.S. Policy in S. Vietnam
New York Times, April 12, 1964: "Vietcong Film Seen by 350 at Columbia
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, April 13, 1964: "5 Students at Haverford Sending Aid to Viet Cong
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, April 14, 1964: "Haverford Boys Explain Aid to the Viet Cong" (2 copies)
New York Times, April 15, 1964: "Collegian Assails U.S. Over Vietnam"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, April 17, 1964: "LaBrum Probing Board Aid to Student at Haverford"
The Haverford News, April 17, 1964: "News Media Cover Viet Committee; Three Members Defend Activities"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, April 20, 1964: "Haverford Students--Right or Wrong?" (2 copies)
Main Line Times, April 23, 1964: "Students' 'Protest' Draws Ire of Alumni, Veterans"
New York Times, April 23, 1964: "F.B.I. Seizes Film Opposing U.S. Role in South Vietnam"
New York Times, April 26, 1964: "87 Would Refuse to Fight Vietcong"
The Harvard Crimson, April 28, 1964: "Legislator Educator"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, May 2, 1964: "Haverford Student Defends His Right to School Board Aid"
The Haverford News, May 8, 1964: "College Defends Stetler's Conduct to Scholarship Review Committee"
Bryn Mawr College News, May 8, 1964: "Sub-committee Considers Revoking Stetler's Board of Ed. Scholarship" and "Stetler's Hearing Raises Question of Civil Freedom"
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 28, 1964: "Witness Pushed by Member of School Board"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, May 28, 1964: "Hearing Ends on the Wild Side" (three copies)
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 1964: "Parents Tormented After Son Raised Viet Cong Funds" (two copies)
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, ca. May 28, 1964: "Professor Complains"
Unknown publication, ca. late May 1964: "Crime: Nonconformity"
The Haverford News, June 5, 1964: "To Make the World Safe For..." (two copies)
Philadelphia Inquirer, June 11, 1964: "Halt to Student Probe at Haverford Sought" (two copies)
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, June 25, 1964: "Soldier-Neighbor Backs Student in Right to Dissent on U.S. Policy" (two copies)
National Guardian, June 27, 1964: "A footnote to McNamara's war"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 5, 1964: "ACLU Urges Board to Back Haverford Boy"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 9, 1964: "Haverford Student Outlines Stnad on Viet Nam to JCs"
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 10, 1964: "Student May Sue in Viet Aid Dispute" (two copies)"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 14, 1964: "Board Allows Stetler to Keep Scholarship"
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 15, 1964: "Board's Scholarship Sustained for Viet Cong Fund Raiser" (two copies)
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 15, 1964: "Veterans' Officials Criticize Ruling on Stetler Scholarship"
Philadelphia Daily News, "July 15, 1964: "Just and Fair Decision" and "Student Who Aided Reds to Keep City Scholarship"
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 16, 1964: "The 'Viet Cong Scholarship'"
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, July 22, 1964: "Letters to the Bulletin: Should Scholarship Be Revoked?" (two copies)
Philadelphia Inquirer,July 26, 1964: "Lawmaker Hits Aid to Viet Cong"
Philadelphia Magazine, August 1964: "Guerilla Warfare"
Philadelphia Magazine, September 1964, "Letters to the Editor: Stetler Static"
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 2, 1964: "Vietnam Atrocities"
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 19, 1965: "Mother's Plea to End Stetler's Grant Is Studied"
Roxborough Review, 1966: "Russell Stetler Is Graduated"
School District of Philadelphia Board of Public Education, scholarship conditions and recommendation from superintendent, June 20, 1962
School District of Philadelphia Board of Public Education, scholarship officially awarded, July 10, 1962
School District of Philadelphia Board of Public Education, advising Stetler he is under investigation, hearing set for May 1st, April 21, 1964
Russell Stetler statement to the Philadelphia Board of Education, May 1, 1964
School District of Philadelphia Board of Public Education advises Stetler that he attend a second hearing set for May 27, May 8, 1964
Richard Kirschner advises School Board that Prof. Bodde and a citizens' group will testify, May 26, 1964
Statement of Russell D. Stetler, Jr. of Haverford College to the Hearing of the Philadelphia Board of Education, May 27, 1964 (three copies)
Kirschner writes School Board to say chairman's conduct denied due process, June 9, 1964
Kirschner again writes School Board to ask whether Board approves chair's conduct, June 26, 1964
Kirschner again writes School Board to ask whether Board condones chair's conduct, July 10, 1964
Kirschner writes School Board president to say that the Board came to the correct conclusion but for the wrong reasons, July 16, 1964
Kirschner's Brief on Behalf of Russell D. Stetler, Jr., undated
Descriptions of letter contents by Russell Stetler.
Russell to Stetler, September 28, 1963: Response to Stetler letter; provides sources for BR writings on Vietnam; data on nerve gas, napalm
Russell to Stetler, March 13, 1964: Approves Stetler proposal; recommends Leonard Boudin for legal advice (BRPF counsel)
Russell to Stetler, March 20, 1964: Response to Stetler of 17 March; notes Stanford demo planned for Easter; message fo May 2nd
Russell to Stetler, March 24, 1964: Response to Stetler letter of 19 March; cites Guardian report of Diem peace negotiation
Russell to Stetler, March 24, 1964: Western Union: "Reply containing documents and supporting message on way"
Russell to Stetler, March 28, 1964: Thanks Stetler for correcting him: post-Diem junta, not Diem, was negotiating with North Vietnam
Russell to Stetler, April 2, 1964: Response to Stetler letter; discusses Comm. of 100, British VN Comm., directory of peace orgs
Russell to Stetler, April 22, 1964: Pleased to learn about May 2nd Committee; doctor in SF also organizing a demo
Russell to Stetler, April 24, 1964: Response to Stetler letter; copy of letter to Phila. Evening Bulletin supporting antiwar students
Ralph Schoenman to Stetler, May 6, 1964: Asks about 2 May demonstration; no press coverage in UK
Russell to Stetler, May 15, 1964: Response to Stetler letter; outraged by inquisition re scholarship
Russell to Stetler, May 28, 1964: Thanks Stetler for birthday wishes; offers support re scholarship; Schoenman coming to US
Russell to Stetler, May 28, 1964: BR introduction to Stetler essay on Vietnam: "valuable study" of Vietnam war
Schoenman to Stetler, June 16, 1964: BR holding conference in London; Pauling to attend; Life just published Vietnam torture photos
Russell to Stetler, July 14, 1964: Response to Stetler letter; suggests consulting Leonard Boudin; wrote JFK assasination article
Schoenman to Stetler, July 23, 1964: Glad scholarship not revotked; just visited Algiers; news on Sino-Indian dispute; plan for Viet book
Russell to Stetler, August 5, 1964: Penguin not interested in Stetler manuscript; glad school board dropped scholarship threat
Schoenman to Stetler, August 10, 1964: Response to Stetler letter of 30 July; transmits BR article on JFK assassination
Russell to Stetler, August 15, 1964: Deplores police conduct at antiwar demo; offers to transmit funds for medical supplies to Vietnam
Russell to Stetler, August 26, 1964: Response to Stetler letter of 21 Aug.; alarmed at threats of sedition; appalled by police at demo
Russell to Stetler, August 31, 1964: Unsigned. Transmits letter of 26 Aug. and list of newspapers to which it was sent
Schoenman to Stetler, September 1, 1964: Transmits data on Vietnam war; notes letter was sent to over 25 newspapers supporting Stetler
Christopher Farley to Stetler, September 2, 1964: Discusses minor alterations in War and Atrocity pamphlet
Schoenman to Stetler, September 8, 1964: Discusses overlap of quotations in Stetler manuscript and BR article; editing to combine the two
Farley to Stetler, September 14, 1964: Response to Stetler letter of 6 Sept.; too late to revise pamphlet at the printer
Russell to Stetler, September 15, 1964: Letter in NY Herald Trib.; glad Stetler is circulating JFK assassination article; discusses Stetler piece
Farley to Stetler, September 16, 1964: Notes that Stetler's friends had visited BRPF; discusses pamphlet; seeks advice on US distribution
Schoenman to Stetler, October 9, 1964: Advises Stetler to "get out" of US if in serious risk of prosecution; offers to contact Miliband/LSE
Schoenman to Stetler, October 15, 1964: Advises about possible transfer to LSE or other UK universities; offers place to stay
Schoenman to Stetler, October 29, 1964: Response to recent letter; offering "berth" if Stetler needs to relocate to London
Schoenman to Stetler, November 25, 1964: Recently saw Leonard Boudin, who is advising Stetler re opened mail and prosecution threats
Schoenman to Stetler, November 27, 1964: Noting letters crossed; frustration with printer of War and Atrocity; discusses Labour gov't
Schoenman to Stetler, December 17, 1964: Response to Stetler suggesting billboard adverts about Vietnam; suggests Corliss Lamont to fund
Farley to Stetler, December 30, 1964: Response to Stetler letter of 25 Dec.; noting problems with printer of War and Atrocity
Schoenman to Stetler, January 6, 1965: Response to Stetler letter; notes Farley had returned from 4 wks in Hanoi
Schoenman to Stetler, January 21, 1965: Response to Stetler letters of 12 Jan. and 6, 8, and 25 Dec.; discusses BRPF funding
Schoenman to Stetler, January 29, 1965: Response to Stetler letter of 25 Jan.; discusses fundraising; agrees to send War and Atrocity
Schoenman to Stetler, February 2, 1965: Response to Stetler letter of 26 Jan. requesting Africa photos
Schoenman to Stetler, February 8, 1965: Response to Stetler letter of 2 Feb.; discusses plans for Foundation publication
Schoenman to Stetler, February 13, 1965: Notes separate posting of BR texts to Pres. Johnson, Ho Chi Minh, UN Sec'y Gen, PM Wilson
Statement, February 21, 1965: BR press statement announcing BRPF international conference to be held in May
Schoenman to Stetler, February 24, 1965: Response to letter from Stetler, reports meeting with Malcolm X shortly before his death
Farley to Stetler, March 1, 1965: Responding to letter to Schoenman and noting copies of War and Atrocity sent to Stetler
Farley to Stetler, March 3, 1965: Response to letter to Schoenman; OK to reprint Congo article; hopes Stetler may come in summer
Farley to Stetler, March 29, 1965: Response to letter to Schoenman and noting more copies of War and Atrocity sent to Stetler
Schoenman to Stetler, March 30, 1965: Inviting Stetler to come to London for three months; notes Schoenman's travel in Africa
Pamela Wood to Stetler, April 23, 1965: Inquring about payment for US sales of War and Atrocity
Farley to Stetler, April 28, 1965: Seeking advice about US audience for a BRPF journal, to be called Foundation
Schoenman to Stetler, undated: "With compliments" slip transmitting copies of War and Atrocity
Farley to Stetler, undated: Small insert "unknown to Lord Russell" soliciing contributions to BRPF at Argyll Mansions address
The copies of these summaries were made from the 1966 originals in the McMaster University archives in 2022.
First printing copy of Bertrand Russell's
War Crimes in Vietnam. Russell thanks Stetler in the acknowledgements section.Page proofs of Stetler's article "Bertrand Russell in the Years of his Vietnam War Crimes Tribunal," which was published in issue 150 of the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation's journal
The Spokesman.