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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Portrait of a couple on their wedding day.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Bride and Groom, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Portrait of a couple on their wedding day.
Subject
African American men, African American women, Special events, Portraits and people
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping in which Elizabeth McDuffie discusses the late President Franklin Roosevelt's reluctance to run for a third term.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Lizzie Has Insight into Life of FDR", circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping in which Elizabeth McDuffie discusses the late President Franklin Roosevelt's reluctance to run for a third term.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Diabetic identification card for Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Diabetic Identification Card, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Diabetic identification card for Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
African American women, African Americans--Health and hygiene
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A thank you card with a note written to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Ann to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
A thank you card with a note written to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
African American women, Household employees, Children
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie from Ted answering an earlier letter and telling her of an impending hospital operation.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Ted to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie from Ted answering an earlier letter and telling her of an impending hospital operation.
Subject
African Americans--Health and hygiene, African American women, Household employees
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
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
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the Roosevelt mansion at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Half Million A Year Visit FDR's Hyde Park Home", circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the Roosevelt mansion at the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.
Subject
Presidents, Interior decoration
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping announcing that William H. Brown received a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Atlantan Granted Ohio State Ph.D.", circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping announcing that William H. Brown received a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.
Subject
African American educators, African American educators
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
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing the announcement of the death of President Franklin Roosevelt to Winston Churchill.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Churchill Stands By For VE-Day", April 14, 1945
Date Created
1945-04-14
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing the announcement of the death of President Franklin Roosevelt to Winston Churchill.
Subject
Presidents, Political science, International relations, World War (1939-1945)
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the death of President Franklin Roosevelt and the funerary procession.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Home Is 'The Chief' For the Last Time", April 14, 1945
Date Created
1945-04-14
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the death of President Franklin Roosevelt and the funerary procession.
Subject
Presidents, Funeral rites and ceremonies, International relations
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 letter from Leonard M. Hill offering his condolences on the death of Hazel Payne.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence to Georgeanna Dixon, November 16, 1944
Date Created
1944-11-16
Description
A letter from Leonard M. Hill offering his condolences on the death of Hazel Payne.
Subject
African American women, Nursing, Associations, institutions, etc.
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter from a department store regarding furs.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence to Hazel Dixon Payne, September 7, 1944
Date Created
1944-09-07
Description
A letter from a department store regarding furs.
Subject
African American women, Nursing
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing Irvin McDuffie's career.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Roosevelt 'Wore Him Out,' ex Valet Admits", July 8, 1944
Date Created
1944-07-08
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping detailing Irvin McDuffie's career.
Subject
Household employees, African American men, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers