Research Guides: Economics Collections at the Mudd Manuscript Library: Monetary Policy

Monetary Policy

Six of the collections are related to monetary policy. Of these, four pertain to the work of the Economists’ National Committee on Monetary Policy, an organization active from 1933 to 1970 which advocated for monetary policies in the United States, especially for the return to the gold standard. These collections include the records of the Committee and the papers of three members, Walter E. Spahr, John E. Rovensky, and Edwin W. Kemmerer. The Kemmerer papers also extensively document his work as an advisor on financial and currency policies around the world, especially in Latin America. Also included are the records of the meetings department and studies department of the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and national membership organization dedicated to promoting improved understanding of international affairs and to contributing ideas to United States foreign policy, including monetary policy.

Relevant Collections

Council on Foreign Relations Meetings Records, 1920-1995
The Council on Foreign Relations is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and national membership organization dedicated to promoting improved understanding of international affairs and to contributing ideas to United States foreign policy. The Meetings Series documents the work of the Council's Meetings Department, including administrative issues, such as correspondence with speakers, attendance records, and the non-attribution rule, as well as the records of the actual meetings themselves.
Council on Foreign Relations Records: Studies Department Series, 1918-2004
The Council on Foreign Relations is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and national membership organization dedicated to promoting improved understanding of international affairs and to contributing ideas to United States foreign policy. The Studies Department Series documents the planning and execution of the various study groups (including discussion groups, current issue review groups, seminars, workshops and conferences) and projects.
Economists' National Committee on Monetary Policy Records, 1925-1971 (mostly 1940-1970)
The Economists' National Committee on Monetary Policy, active from November 1933 to 1970, was composed of economists and other financial experts who sought to educate the public and United States government on sound monetary policy. The Committee advocated for a return to the gold standard and sought to combat what they saw as dangerous inflationist sentiment and aggressive monetary policies of the time through public addresses, publishing articles and pamphlets, and testifying before Congress. The records document the Committee's work, as well as its organization and administration, and include correspondence, meeting minutes, and publications.
Edwin W. Kemmerer Papers, 1875-1945 (mostly 1920-1945)
Edwin W. Kemmerer (1875-1945), internationally known as "The Money Doctor," was an economist and government advisor with expertise in finance and currency. Kemmerer served as a financial advisor to many governments, mostly in Latin America, and spent the majority of his academic career at Princeton University. Kemmerer's papers document his advisory and scholarly career and include his professional correspondence, writings, and files from his financial advisory work.
John E. Rovensky Papers, 1920-1968 (mostly 1920-1929)
John E. Rovensky (1880-1970) was a banker and economist. As a banker, he held the position of vice president at the National Bank of Commerce, Bank of America, and City Bank. As an economist, he was a member of the Economists' National Committee on Monetary Policy, the National Monetary Association, and the Stable Money Association. Rovensky's papers document his work as an economist, including his tenure as president of the Stable Money Association in 1927. The papers are comprised of correspondence, offprints, and newspaper clippings.
Walter E. Spahr Papers, 1923-1966 (mostly 1930-1950)
Walter E. Spahr (1891-1970) was a professor of economics at New York University who was a strong supporter of the gold standard. Spahr was a founding member and officer of the Economists' National Committee for Monetary Policy, which advocated for sound monetary policies for the United States. Spahr's papers document his scholarship and include his writings and related correspondence.