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Dana Gardner Munro Papers

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Munro, Dana Gardner, 1892-1990

Dana Gardner Munro was a leading authority on Latin America relations in the mid-twentieth century. He was actively involved with the United States Department of State as a diplomat and was also a professor at Princeton University for more than thirty years.

Munro was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 18, 1892. He earned bachelor's degrees from both Brown University and the University of Wisconsin, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Munro then spent two years studying economic and political conditions in Central America for the Carnegie Peace Foundation. After serving in the U.S. Army's Air Service during World War I, the State Department hired him as an economist in 1919; during the 1920s, he was the acting chief, and later chief, of its Latin American Division. Among his diplomatic positions, he was a secretary of legation in Panama and Nicaragua, charge d'affairs in Managua, a special envoy to Haiti, a consul to Chile, and minister to Haiti (1930-1932).

Munro's career as an educator began in 1930 when he was hired as a professor of Latin American History at Princeton University. Nine years later, he became director of the University's School of Public and International Affairs. After his retirement from academia in 1961, Munro returned to an earlier role as president of the Foreign Bondholders Protective Council, a component of the State Department intended to advise in the protection of American investors.

Munro contributed to journals such as the Hispanic American Historical Review and The American Political Science Review, and authored several monographs including The Latin American Republics: a History; A Student in Central America, 1914-1916; Intervention and Dollar Diplomacy in the Caribbean, 1900-1921; and The United States and the Caribbean Republics, 1921-1933.

He died in June 1990 at the age of 97.

Munro, Dana Gardner, 1892-1990

Dana Gardner Munro was a leading authority on Latin America relations in the mid-twentieth century. He was actively involved with the United States Department of State as a diplomat and was also a professor at Princeton University for more than thirty years.

Munro was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 18, 1892. He earned bachelor's degrees from both Brown University and the University of Wisconsin, and went on to receive a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Munro then spent two years studying economic and political conditions in Central America for the Carnegie Peace Foundation. After serving in the U.S. Army's Air Service during World War I, the State Department hired him as an economist in 1919; during the 1920s, he was the acting chief, and later chief, of its Latin American Division. Among his diplomatic positions, he was a secretary of legation in Panama and Nicaragua, charge d'affairs in Managua, a special envoy to Haiti, a consul to Chile, and minister to Haiti (1930-1932).

Munro's career as an educator began in 1930 when he was hired as a professor of Latin American History at Princeton University. Nine years later, he became director of the University's School of Public and International Affairs. After his retirement from academia in 1961, Munro returned to an earlier role as president of the Foreign Bondholders Protective Council, a component of the State Department intended to advise in the protection of American investors.

Munro contributed to journals such as the Hispanic American Historical Review and The American Political Science Review, and authored several monographs including The Latin American Republics: a History; A Student in Central America, 1914-1916; Intervention and Dollar Diplomacy in the Caribbean, 1900-1921; and The United States and the Caribbean Republics, 1921-1933.

He died in June 1990 at the age of 97.

The Dana Gardner Munro Papers document segments of the scholarly and diplomatic work of Munro. Included in the collection are drafts of articles, book chapters, book reviews, and lectures. Munro's time as a diplomat is reflected in subject files and State Department Press Releases chronicling United States relations with individual Latin American countries as well as larger regional themes. The papers also include correspondence written by Munro's wife Margaret Munro, documenting their time in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua, as well as letters from Munro's children regarding his publications.

Please see the series descriptions in the contents list for additional information about individual series.

The following sources were consulted during the preparation of the biographical note: Obituary, The New York Times, 19 June 1990. Obituary, The Trenton Times, 19 June 1990.

The collection was transferred to the Mudd Manuscript Library, Public Policy Papers in 1991.

Gift of Professor Dana Gardner Munro to the Manuscript Division of the Princeton University Library on March 3, 1986.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

This collection was processed by Diann Benti in July 2007. Finding aid written by Diann Benti in July 2007.

Loose published articles not written by Munro have been removed from the collection.

Publisher
Public Policy Papers
Finding Aid Author
Diann Benti
Finding Aid Date
2007
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

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Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

The Department of State Press Releases series is composed of press releases published by the Department of State regarding Latin America. The press releases relate economic, social, political, and military events, as well as United States relations with individual Latin American countries. Some folders are supplemented with reports.

Arrangement

Folders arranged alphabetically by country.

Physical Description

2 boxes

Cuba, 1920-1921. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Cuba, United States Mission to the United Nations, 1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Dominican Republic, 1922. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Dominican Republic, 1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Haiti, 1923-1927. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Haiti, 1939-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Haiti, 1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Honduras, 1919-1931. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1916-1923, 1916-1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1924-1926, 1924-1926. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1927, 1927. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1928-1933, 1928-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Panama, 1920-1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Panama, 1927-1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Subject Files series is comprised of clippings, working papers, reports, and research materials relating to the Latin American countries British Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, and Nicaragua, as well as general issues affecting the region. The topics are not covered exhaustively and copies of academic studies and reports comprise much of the series.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Physical Description

3 boxes

British Honduras, 1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Central America, 1922-1965. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Communism, 1954-1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Cooperation in Education, 1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Council on Foreign Relations Study Group on the Role of Military in Latin America Working Papers, 1957-1958. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Cuba Press Clippings, 1933. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Dominican Bonds, 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Dominican Republic, 1922-1967. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Economic Development, World Banks, 1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Foreign Aid, 1956-1962. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Guatemala, 1949-1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Haiti, 1919-1964. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Haiti, 1915-1932. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Investments, 1919-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Labor, 1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Nicaragua, 1906. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Organization of American States, 1950-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Panama, 1940-1966. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

United States Policy, 1928-1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

United States Relations, 1943-1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Articles and Book Reviews series contains drafts and copies of articles written by Munro. Most items deal with United States relations with Latin America. Some lectures appear to have been incorporated into this series, however most can be found in Series 4: Lectures. Some publication-related correspondence is included.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Physical Description

2 boxes

Physical Description

1 box

"The American Financial Intervention in Santo Domingo", 1915. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Our Economic Policy in the Caribbean Region", 1919. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Origin of the American Intervention", 1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Conditions in Central America Up to January, 1923" compiled by Edward S. Crocker, 2d, 1923. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Haiti, 1932. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"A New Regime in Nicaragua", 1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Manuel Estrada Cabrera", 1938. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Some Thoughts on Freedom of the Press in Spanish America", 1954. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Democracy and Dictatorship in Latin America", 1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Diplomatic Representation in Latin America, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Relations, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Dollar Diplomacy in Nicaragua, 1909-1913", 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Recent Events in the Caribbean", 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Basis of American Intervention in the Caribbean", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Caribbean, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Caribbean intervention, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Chapter II: The Liberation of Cuba", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The American Withdrawal From Haiti, 1929-1934", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Foreign Bondholders Protective Council", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Economic Nationalism in Latin America", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"What is the Future of the Good Neighbor Policy", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Our Relations with Latin America", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Insular Possessions of the United States", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Latin American Relations with the United States", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Treaties with Foreign Nations", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1920-1939, 1920-1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1940-1944, 1940-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1945-1947, 1945-1947. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1948-1950, 1948-1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1951-1967, 1951-1967. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Lectures series contains typewritten speeches given by Munro on topics relating to Latin America, often including handwritten corrections and notes. In rare instances press clippings accompany the lectures. Some lectures also appear to be in Series 3: Articles and Book Reviews. The materials found in this series are not lectures presented to Princeton students, but rather are lectures given around the country and in Latin America.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Physical Description

2 boxes

"Some Problems of the Smaller Caribbean Republics", 1924. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Central America", 1929. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Caribbean Relations, 1929. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Our Relations with Central America", 1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"El 'New Deal' :La Reforma Politica De Roosevelt", 1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Cuba, 1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"American Investments and American Policy in the Caribbean", 1933. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Monroe Doctrine", 1934. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"International Economic Rivalries in Latin America", 1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Policy of United States, 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Economic Nationalism in Latin America", 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Manpower Conference, Princeton, 1942. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Latin America in the War and Afterward", 1943. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Post-War Economic Cooperation with Latin America", 1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The Proposed Petroleum Monopoly", 1953. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Dollar Diplomacy in Nicaragua, 1909-1913", 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Relations, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Relations, 1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Relations, 1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Panama Relations, 1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Central America, 1965. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, U.S. Policy Towards Latin America, 1971. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"[Los Aspectos Politicos Y Sociales del 'New Deal']", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"La Agricultura Bajo El 'New Deal,'", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"El 'New Deal' Y El Comercio Internacional", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Solidaridad Interamericana Y El Restablecimiento Del Comercio Mundial", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"La Nueva Politica Economica Y Social En Los Estados Unidos", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"La Nueva Politica NorteAmericana En Relacion Con El Comercio Internacional", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"La Vida Universitaria En Los Estados Unidos", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"La Ley Nacional De Rehabilitacion Industrial", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Strategic Problems in the Caribbean Area", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Revolutions and Elections in the Caribbean", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Recent Events in Nicaragua", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Panama Canal, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Cuba and Castro, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Imperialism and the Spanish American War", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"The National Industrial Recovery Act", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Agriculture Under the New Deal", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Foreign Trade", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Creation for Post-War World Organization, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Some Problems of Central American Republics", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Report, Mexican Oil, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Our Relations with Central America", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Free Government Institution", undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, International Development in Central America and in the West Indian Republics, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled, Latin American Relations, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence series begins with letters written by Munro to his mother during his travels to Europe in 1913 and Latin America in 1916. Munro's correspondence from the 1930s and 1940s deals mainly with Foreign Bondholders Protective Council matters. The series also contains letters written by Munro's wife, Margaret, (regarding their time living in Managua, Nicaragua), his children (regarding preparation of Munro's publications), and letters from President Hoover and Henry Stimson upon Munro's resignation as Minister of Haiti.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent or subject.

Physical Description

1 box

Physical Description

1 box

1913-1916, 1913-1916. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1935-1946, 1935-1946. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Hoover, Herbert and Stimson, Henry, Regarding Munro's Resignation, 1932. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Munro, Margaret, 1927-1928. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

(Written from Managua, Nicaragua)

Physical Description

1 folder

Publications, 1981. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

(Correspondence mostly by Munro's children)

Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest