Collection Opening: Robert V. Roosa Personal Papers

By Jennifer Marciello, Archivist

The Kennedy Library is pleased to announce the opening of Series 2 through 5 of the Robert V. Roosa Personal Papers.

The collection spans the years from 1938-1989 and contains a wide range of personal and professional papers relating to his work at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Monetary Affairs during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and with the private investment banking firm of Brown Brothers Harriman and Co. in New York as well as other personal pursuits. Special topics include Roosa's work on international monetary policy, balance of payments, foreign exchange rates, gold, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

AR7474-A. President John F. Kennedy Attends Luncheon for Finance Ministers and Bank Governors on 20 September 1962, at which Robert V. Roosa was present in his role of Under Secretary of the Treasury for Monetary Affairs.

Robert Vincent Roosa was born on June 21, 1918, in Marquette, Michigan. He completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan in 1939 followed by a master's in 1940, and a Ph.D. in 1942. From 1939 to 1943, he also taught economics at Michigan, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During World War II, he served in London with the Enemy Objectives Unit in the Office of Strategic Services. After the war, Roosa joined the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

During the Kennedy administration, Roosa served as Under Secretary for Monetary Affairs at the Treasury Department. He continued under the Johnson administration until 1964, then joined the private investment banking firm of Brown Brothers Harriman and Co. in New York, where he worked from 1965 to 1991. In addition, Roosa was a director at the Council on Foreign Relations (1966-1981), a member of the Group of Thirty financial advisory body (1979-), and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution (1975-1986).

Robert Roosa died on December 23, 1993, in Port Chester, New York, at age 75.

The collection is arranged into five series: Series 1. Under Secretary for Monetary Affairs Files, 1961-1963, contains microfilmed copies of records from the office of Robert V. Roosa, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Monetary Affairs, during the Kennedy administration. Series 2. Treasury Department Files, 1961-1964 covers many of the same topics present in Series 1., as well as financing, hearings, legislation, presidential meetings and messages, press briefings and general subject files. Series 3. Office Files, 1936-1989 contains writings, correspondence, memoranda and travel files related to the entirety of his professional career as well as the numerous organizations he was associated with. Series 4. Master File, 1941-1994 documents all writings and publications that Roosa created during his professional career, and Series 5. Publications, 1940-1990 contains the published works of Roosa in the various publications he was featured in.

Please note that folders may be subject to review by archives staff for declassification status or deed closures before use, and all microfilm remains closed due to the presence of classified information. Please contact the Research Room staff if you would like access to a folder that has not yet been reviewed.

All are welcome to visit the Library to work with our collections, and you can make an appointment by contacting an archivist at [email protected].

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