Librarian for History and African American Studies
609-258-0496
steven.knowlton@princeton.edu
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https://steven-knowlton.scholar.princeton.edu/
General resources
The best starting point for finding presidential papers is the American National Biography online. In this guide, the entry for each president is linked directly to ANB (note, however, that this is a licensed resource for Princeton only; if you are at another academic institution, ask a librarian if you have access to it.) Look at the end of the ANB entry for information about presidential papers, published editions of the writings of that president, and recommended biographies. ANB also has links to the presidential libraries that house the personal papers of each president since FDR.
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American National Biography Online This link opens in a new window
Authoritative bios of more than 19,000 prominent people who lived in what is now the United States from the Colonial Period to the present. Everyone included is deceased. Includes bibliographic data on publications by and about these individuals. Search by name orvarious characteristics including gender, ethnicity, occupation, dates. 17th Century+
A compilation of the messages and papers of the presidents, 1789-1907. Covers 1789-1929.
Print edition covering 1789–1907 at J81 .U577 1908.
Public papers of the presidents of the United States.
Weekly compilation of Presidential documents.
-- 1965–2009
-- 1992-present
Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations (1789-present) in ProQuest Congressional
Executive Branch Documents (1789-1939) in ProQuest Congressional
Presidential Proclamations Project
Books about presidential records:
Records of the presidency: presidential papers and libraries from Washington to Reagan
National Security Files
The presidential National Security Files are a key resource for research on U.S. foreign policy and the presidency. They are arranged by administration and geographically. The series begins with the Eisenhower administration, but there is similar material in the microfilm set, President Harry S Truman’s office files, 1945-1953. Most are now available online in History Vault. See also Documents of the National Security Council.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower national security files, 1953-1961 [microform]
- John F. Kennedy National Security Files, 1961-1963
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Security Files, 1963-1969
- Crises in Panama and the Dominican Republic: National Security Files and NSC Histories (1963-1969).
- Richard M. Nixon National Security Files, 1969-1974
- Gerald R. Ford National Security Files, 1974-1977