Irvin
Nov 21, 2022

Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers

Irvin "Mac" Henry McDuffie and his wife Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hall McDuffie were domestics in their hometown of Atlanta and later in the employ of Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his presidency. Born in Elberton, Georgia, Irvin moved to Atlanta to be a barber and eventually manage the McDuffie-Herndon Barbershop financed by Alonzo Herndon of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Upon the recommendation of a customer, Roosevelt interviewed McDuffie to be his valet at his retreat at Warm Springs, Georgia. McDuffie continued on with Roosevelt through his governorship in New York and his presidency, until McDuffie suffered a nervous breakdown in 1939. Elizabeth worked for 23 years as a maid with the prominent Atlanta family of Edward H. Inman. In 1933 she moved to Washington, D.C. to join her husband and became a maid in the White House where she remained until Roosevelt's death in 1945.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
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  • Document Type = text
  • Subjects = African American women
  • Subjects = Household employees
A thank you note sent to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Hugh and Frances Richardson to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
A thank you note sent to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
African American women, Household employees, Funeral rites and ceremonies
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writing related to Major Henry Stuart Hooker and the way he liked his bed made.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writings by Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Author
McDuffie, Elizabeth S.
Description
Writing related to Major Henry Stuart Hooker and the way he liked his bed made.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African American authors
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Typed drafts of a poem entitled "Immanuel's Land."
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Drafts of "Immanuel's Land,' circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Author
McDuffie, Elizabeth S.
Description
Typed drafts of a poem entitled "Immanuel's Land."
Subject
African American poets, African American authors, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writing and notes about the life of Annie Belle Green.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writings by Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Author
McDuffie, Elizabeth S.
Description
Writing and notes about the life of Annie Belle Green.
Subject
African American authors, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter regarding Irvin's last days in Washington D.C. before returning to Atlanta.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Irvin McDuffie to Elizabeth McDuffie, June 26, 1945
Date Created
1945-06-26
Description
A letter regarding Irvin's last days in Washington D.C. before returning to Atlanta.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African American men
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing Elizabeth McDuffie's last moments with President Franklin Roosevelt before his death.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Mrs. McDuffie Tells of Last Day with Roosevelt", April 28, 1945
Date Created
1945-04-28
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing Elizabeth McDuffie's last moments with President Franklin Roosevelt before his death.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter from Emily Inman regarding the death of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Emily Inman to Elizabeth McDuffie, April 13, 1945
Date Created
1945-04-12
Description
A letter from Emily Inman regarding the death of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Subject
African American women, Household employees, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter offering Elizabeth McDuffie condolences on the death of her husband.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Walter and Willie to Elizabeth McDuffie, February 4, 1945
Date Created
1945-02-04
Description
A letter offering Elizabeth McDuffie condolences on the death of her husband.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Health and hygiene
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A scrapbook containing telegrams and clippings related to the deaths of Irvin McDuffie and Elizabeth McDuffie's mother, Sarah Stanfield. 55 pages.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Scrapbook, circa 1946
Date Created
1941/1951
Description
A scrapbook containing telegrams and clippings related to the deaths of Irvin McDuffie and Elizabeth McDuffie's mother, Sarah Stanfield. 55 pages.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African American men, Funeral rites and ceremonies
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie from Tot (Elizabeth Patillo) discussing her teaching career at the Maryland School for the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Tot to Elizabeth McDuffie, April 28, 1941
Date Created
1941-04-28
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie from Tot (Elizabeth Patillo) discussing her teaching career at the Maryland School for the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland.
Subject
Musicians, Teachers, African American women, Household employees
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping regarding the McDuffie's plans to write a book about their time in the White House.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Late FDR's Aides Plan to Write Book on Experiences", circa 1945
Date Created
1940/1950
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping regarding the McDuffie's plans to write a book about their time in the White House.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African American men, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter from Augusta Barton to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding her writing a book about the Roosevelts.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Augusta Legg Barton to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1945
Date Created
1940/1950
Description
A letter from Augusta Barton to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding her writing a book about the Roosevelts.
Subject
African American women, Household employees, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping from the Chicago Bee regarding a banquet celebrating Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"White House Staff Member Feted", November 3, 1940
Date Created
1940-11-03
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping from the Chicago Bee regarding a banquet celebrating Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
African Americans--Politics and government, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping containing photos of Elizabeth McDuffie and Incarnation Rodriguez on the occasion of a state dinner for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Served English Royalty", June 1939
Date Created
1939-06
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping containing photos of Elizabeth McDuffie and Incarnation Rodriguez on the occasion of a state dinner for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, International relations
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to President Franklin Roosevelt commending Elizabeth McDuffie for her campaign work in Ohio.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from the Ohio State Democratic League to President Franklin Roosevelt, November 17, 1938
Date Created
1938-11-17
Description
A letter to President Franklin Roosevelt commending Elizabeth McDuffie for her campaign work in Ohio.
Subject
African American women, Household employees, African Americans--Politics and government, Associations, institutions, etc., Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A fragment of a letter to Elizabeth McDuffie on the occasion of her and Irvin's wedding anniversary.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Irvin McDuffie to Elizabeth McDuffie, November 6, 1938
Date Created
1938-11-06
Description
A fragment of a letter to Elizabeth McDuffie on the occasion of her and Irvin's wedding anniversary.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African American men, Special events
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping regarding an speech given by Elizabeth McDuffie at a cocktail hour sponsored by the Negro Democratic Council.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Mrs. Elizabeth McDuffie Speaks for Sawyer and Bulkley at Cleveland", October 29, 1938
Date Created
1938-10-29
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping regarding an speech given by Elizabeth McDuffie at a cocktail hour sponsored by the Negro Democratic Council.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of two newspaper clippings. One details Elizabeth McDuffie's involvement in the United Government Employees while the other describes the policies and funding advocated by the U.G.E..
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Practical Philanthropist", September 11, 1938
Date Created
1938-09-11
Description
Photocopy of two newspaper clippings. One details Elizabeth McDuffie's involvement in the United Government Employees while the other describes the policies and funding advocated by the U.G.E..
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of newspaper clippings regarding the McDuffie's visit to Elberton, Georgia.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"FDR Interested in Masses, Says Irvin McDuffie", April 6, 1938
Date Created
1938-04-06
Description
Photocopy of newspaper clippings regarding the McDuffie's visit to Elberton, Georgia.
Subject
Household employees, African American men, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of four newspaper clipping describing Elizabeth McDuffie's screen tests for "Gone With the Wind" and incorrectly reporting that she was awarded the role.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"White House Upstairs Maid Gets a Fat Part in 'Gone,'" January 3, 1938
Date Created
1938-01-03
Description
Photocopy of four newspaper clipping describing Elizabeth McDuffie's screen tests for "Gone With the Wind" and incorrectly reporting that she was awarded the role.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans actors
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers