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 an unidentified woman, possibly Elizabeth McDuffie in a coffin with flowers.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Woman in Coffin, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
Portrait of an unidentified woman, possibly Elizabeth McDuffie in a coffin with flowers.
Subject
African American women, Portraits and people, Funeral rites and ceremonies
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Portrait of an unidentified woman in a coffin, possibly Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Woman in Coffin, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
Portrait of an unidentified woman in a coffin, possibly Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
African American women, Portraits and people, Funeral rites and ceremonies
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A blank Christmas card.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Christmas Card, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A blank Christmas card.
Subject
Special events
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A blank Christmas card.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Christmas Card, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A blank Christmas card.
Subject
Special events
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A blank Christmas card.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Christmas Card, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A blank Christmas card.
Subject
Special events
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding a trip to Africa and Europe.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Marguerite to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding a trip to Africa and Europe.
Subject
Travel, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A Christmas card sent to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Essie Martin to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A Christmas card sent to Elizabeth McDuffie.
Subject
Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writing related to Paul and the city of Corinth.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Writings by Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Author
McDuffie, Elizabeth S.
Description
Writing related to Paul and the city of Corinth.
Subject
Philosophy and religion, African American authors, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A poem about sorrow and strength.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Poem by Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Author
McDuffie, Elizabeth S.
Description
A poem about sorrow and strength.
Subject
African American authors, Philosophy and religion, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Elizabeth McDuffie thanking her for a sympathy letter.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Elizabeth McDuffie, circa 1957
Date Created
1955/1960
Description
Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Elizabeth McDuffie thanking her for a sympathy letter.
Subject
African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping discussing the life and policies of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"F.D.R. Died 10 Years Ago Was He a Genius? Did He Sell Out Democracy?", April 10, 1955
Date Created
1955-04-10
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping discussing the life and policies of President Franklin Roosevelt.
Subject
Presidents, Political science, World War (1914-1918), World War (1939-1945)
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie sharing health concerns.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Mary Hodges to Elizabeth McDuffie, March 1955
Date Created
1955-03
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie sharing health concerns.
Subject
Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the industry and economics of the South.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"In 1938 FDR Said", circa 1959
Date Created
1954/1964
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing the industry and economics of the South.
Subject
Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A certificate presented to Elizabeth McDuffie celebrating her 25 years of membership to the Georgia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Georgia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs 25 Year Certificate, June 12, 1954
Date Created
1954-06-12
Description
A certificate presented to Elizabeth McDuffie celebrating her 25 years of membership to the Georgia Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
Subject
African American women, Associations, institutions, etc.
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie discussing birthday plans.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Bill to Elizabeth McDuffie, March 24, 1954
Date Created
1954-03-24
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie discussing birthday plans.
Subject
African American women, Household employees
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
An envelope addressed to Elizabeth McDuffie sent from Eleanor Roosevelt.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Envelope from Eleanor Roosevelt, May 2, 1953
Date Created
1953-05-02
Description
An envelope addressed to Elizabeth McDuffie sent from Eleanor Roosevelt.
Subject
Presidents' spouses, Household employees, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie thanking her for a Roosevelt medal.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Robert W. Woodruff to Elizabeth McDuffie, March 30, 1953
Date Created
1953-03-30
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie thanking her for a Roosevelt medal.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A program of celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
NAACP Emancipation Proclamation Celebration Program, January 1, 1953
Date Created
1953-01-01
Description
A program of celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Subject
Special events, Slavery, African Americans--Civil rights
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping announcing the marriage of Mattiwilda Dobbs and Bengt Janzon.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Soprano Dobbs Weds Swedish Journalist", circa 1957
Date Created
1952/1962
Description
Photocopy of a newspaper clipping announcing the marriage of Mattiwilda Dobbs and Bengt Janzon.
Subject
African American singers, African American women
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding an article about her in Ebony.
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Mary Jane Hillyer to Elizabeth McDuffie, April 15, 1952
Date Created
1952-04-15
Description
A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding an article about her in Ebony.
Subject
Household employees, African American women, Presidents
Collection
Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers