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.

Title Date Created Description Subject Collection
Correspondence from the Young Women's Christian Association, March 18, 1955 3/18/1955 A thank you note sent to Elizabeth McDuffie. Written on the verso is a brief account of the life and death of Edgar G. Brown. African Americans--Politics and government, African Americans--Employment, Household employees, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Coffin of Elizabeth McDuffie, November 1966 1966-11 Flowers sit on and around a coffin. Written on recto: For Joseph, taken in the home. African American women, Funeral rites and ceremonies, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Arena Art Club Yearbook, 1963-1965 1963/1965 A booklet for the Arena Art Club including club officers, history, projects, calendar, and a membership list. 10 pages. Associations, institutions, etc., Art Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Funeral Set Today For Hugh T. Inman", December 10, 1963 1963-12-10 Photocopy of a newspaper clipping announcing the funeral service for Hugh Inman. Funeral rites and ceremonies Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Phyllis Wheatley Branch YWCA Christmas Program, December 8, 1963 1963-12-08 A brochure announcing the Christmas Program at the Phyllis Wheatley Branch of the YWCA. Special events, Associations, institutions, etc. Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from the Butler Street YMCA to Elizabeth McDuffie, December 20, 1962 1962-12-20 A letter from W. L. Calloway wishing all members of the YMCA a merry Christmas. Associations, institutions, etc., African American women, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from the Butler Street YMCA to Elizabeth McDuffie, September 13, 1962 1962-09-13 A telegram from Warren Cochran wishing Elizabeth McDuffie a happy birthday. Associations, institutions, etc., African American women, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Lois and Joe to Elizabeth McDuffie, August 26, 1962 1962-08-26 A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding the death of a woman named Mamie. Funeral rites and ceremonies, Household employees, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"Mrs. McDuffie Recalls Her White House Days", July 7, 1962 1962-07-07 Photocopy of a newspaper clipping about the life of Elizabeth McDuffie. Household employees, African American women, African Americans--Politics and government Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Arena Art Club Yearbook, 1961-1963 1961/1963 A booklet for the Arena Art Club including club officers, history, projects, calendar, and a membership list. 10 pages. Associations, institutions, etc., Art Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Annual Woman's Day, Liberty Baptist Church, November 19, 1961 1961-11-19 Postcard announcing the Annual Woman's Day at Liberty Baptist Church. African American women, African American churches Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Mabel Staupers to Elizabeth McDuffie, October 24, 1961 1961-10-24 A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie from Mabel Staupers describing her trip to Atlanta. Nursing, African American women, World War (1939-1945), African Americans--Employment Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Money Order Sender's Stub, October 3, 1961 1961-10-03 A stub receipt for a money order. Household employees, African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"MRA Information Service", August 7, 1961 1961-08-07 Magazine published by Moral Re-Armament describing the groups initiatives and current events. Associations, institutions, etc., International relations, Political science Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Postcard from Bill and Sophia to Elizabeth McDuffie, July 7, 1961 1961-07-07 A postcard to Elizabeth McDuffie about a vacation. Travel, African American women, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
"MRA Information Service", June 5, 1961 1961-06-05 Magazine published by Moral Re-Armament describing the groups initiatives and current events. Associations, institutions, etc., International relations, Political science Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Liberty Baptist Church Program, March 12, 1961 1961-03-12 A program for a Sunday service at Liberty Baptist Church. African American churches, African Americans--Religion Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Billy to Elizabeth McDuffie, December 27, 1960 1960-12-27 A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie recounting a family gathering at Christmas. African American women, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Correspondence from Billy to Elizabeth McDuffie, December 5, 1960 1960-12-05 A letter to Elizabeth McDuffie regarding her health. African Americans--Health and hygiene, African American women, Household employees Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers
Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Elizabeth McDuffie, October 24, 1960 1960-10-24 Letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Elizabeth McDuffie wishing her good health. African American women Elizabeth and Irvin McDuffie Papers