University of Arizona

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Lewis W. Douglas Papers

United States Citizen's Identity Card Issued to James S. Douglas, June 21, 1920

Lewis W. Douglas (1894-1974) was a businessman, Democratic politician, philanthropist, and diplomat. He served in the Arizona State Legislature, 1922-1925; U.S. House of Representatives, 1927-1933; U.S. Budget Director, 1933-1934; President of McGill University, 1938-1939; head of U.S. War Shipping Administration, 1942-1944; and Ambassador to Great Britain, 1947- 1950. His father, James Stuart Douglas (1868-1949), was a mine owner and banker; his grandfather, James Douglas (1837-1918), was a mining engineer, metallurgist, and industrialist.

The collection consists of correspondence, congressional bills, speeches, articles, financial records, clippings, diaries, reminiscences, photographs of family members from 1897 to 1964, wills, and estate records relating to Lewis's family and his extensive activities in politics and government. Also includes material from his work with the Winston Churchill Foundation, 1958-1974; Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1940-1959; University of Arizona Institute of Atmospheric Physics, 1951-1972; and Southern Arizona Bank, 1949-1974. Also present is material on his investments in oil and mining companies, particularly the Copper Creek Consolidated Mining Company.

Related to Arizona are his congressional work on copper tariffs, Colorado River water rights, and Indian issues; as well as committee work with many Arizona organizations concerning issues such as the Salt River Project, University of Arizona Medical School study, air pollution and smelter smoke, and a proposed Arizona nuclear site. Additional materials of his father and grandfather consist of family correspondence and records, and papers relating to mining technology and mining companies, especially Phelps Dodge Corp., 1863-1915. Correspondents of all three Douglases include many well-known figures in politics, mining, and world affairs.