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.

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Title Date Created Author Description Subject Collection
Statement of Employee's Record, June 30, 1947 1947-06-30 An employee record for Thomas A. Glass, a clerk with the United Sates Post office. African Americans--Employment Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Wallace Didn't Have 'It,' Farley Quotes 'Boss,'" June 27, 1947 1947-06-27 Photocopy of a newspaper clipping describing President Franklin Roosevelt's rejection of other Democratic candidates for President. Presidents, Political science, International relations Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"My 13 Years in the White House", October 1946 1946-10 Nesbitt, Henrietta Photocopy of a newspaper clipping containing an article written by Henrietta Nesbitt in which she describes her time in the White House. Household employees, Presidents, International relations Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"I Guarded FDR", Part Two, September 14, 1946 1946-09-14 Photocopy of a newspaper article written by the Chief of the White House Secret Service, Michael F. Reilly, describing his work with President Franklin Roosevelt. Presidents, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"I Guarded FDR", Part One, September 7, 1946 1946-09-07 Photocopy of a newspaper article written by the Chief of the White House Secret Service, Michael F. Reilly, describing his work with President Franklin Roosevelt. Presidents, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Notice of Settlement of Claim, August 7, 1946 1946-08-07 A notice of settlement of claim for Irvin McDuffie. Household employees, African American men, African Americans--Employment Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"I Guarded FDR", Part Four, September 28, 1946 1946-07-28 Photocopy of a newspaper article written by the Chief of the White House Secret Service, Michael F. Reilly, describing his work with President Franklin Roosevelt. Presidents, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"I Guarded FDR", Part Three, September 21, 1946 1946-07-21 Photocopy of a newspaper article written by the Chief of the White House Secret Service, Michael F. Reilly, describing his work with President Franklin Roosevelt. Presidents, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Pays Tribute To Roosevelt", April 12, 1946 1946-04-12 Photocopy of a newspaper clipping paying tribute to President Franklin Roosevelt. Presidents, Political science Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Arthur Turner to Elizabeth McDuffie, March 3, 1946 1946-03-03 A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie offering condolences on the death of Irvin McDuffie and President Franklin Roosevelt. Household employees, African American women, African American men, Presidents, African Americans--Health and hygiene Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"In Memoriam", January 30, 1946 1946-01-30 Photocopy of a newspaper clipping featuring a poem in memoriam of Irvin McDuffie. Household employees, African American men Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
New Vistas. Vol. 1, No. 6, January 1946 1946-01 A journal featuring an article about Elizabeth McDuffie and her time with the Roosevelt's. 7 pages. Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government, Presidents Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Children, circa 1950 1945/1955 Two children sit in pool of water. Children Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Group, circa 1950 1945/1955 A group of unidentified people sit and stand around a banquet table. African American men, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Group, circa 1950 1945/1955 A group of four women and one man stand together outside. African American men, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Group, circa 1950 1945/1955 A group of two women and one man stand together outside a house. African American men, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Couple, circa 1950 1945/1955 An unidentified woman sits and leans against a brick structure while an unidentified man stands next to her. African American men, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Family, circa 1950 1945/1955 An unidentified family stand in front of a mirror. African American men, African American children, Portraits and people Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Unidentified Couple, circa 1950 1945/1955 An unidentified couple stand near a stage at an event. African American men, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Holiday Card, circa 1950 1945/1955 A Christmas card featuring a picture of three unidentified women. African American women, Portraits and people Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers