Scope and Contents
The papers of Thomas W. Lamont date mostly from 1915 to 1948, and mainly reflect his non-business activities. Prominent in the collection are materials relating to international affairs, including his role in the Paris Peace Conference, postwar financing by J.P. Morgan & Co., the reparations conference which formulated the Dawes and Young plans, the International Committee of Bankers on Mexico, and the Chinese Consortium. Also included are materials relating to J.P. Morgan & Co., of which Lamont became a partner in 1911, Lamont's connections to Harvard University, various directorships held by Lamont, his testimonies at several congressional hearings, and his charitable interests.
Much of the collection consists of correspondence, including letters of recommendation for and financial advice to many women, letters in support of women's suffrage, as well as many private letters, most notably extended exchanges with Sibyl Colefax and with Nancy Astor on personal matters, literature, and world affairs from 1924 to 1948. The collection also contains correspondence between Lamont and painter Enit Kaufman about her "American Portraits" with text by noted American journalist Dorothy Fisher Canfield, a project which Lamont ended up supporting. In 1936, Lamont initiated what was to become a spirited exchange of opinions with Thompson on her New York Herald Tribune column "On the Record," which lasted until 1944.
Much of the collection consists of correspondence, including letters of recommendation for and financial advice to many women, letters in support of women's suffrage, as well as many private letters, most notably extended exchanges with Sibyl Colefax and with Nancy Astor on personal matters, literature, and world affairs from 1924 to 1948. The collection also contains correspondence between Lamont and painter Enit Kaufman about her "American Portraits" with text by noted American journalist Dorothy Fisher Canfield, a project which Lamont ended up supporting. In 1936, Lamont initiated what was to become a spirited exchange of opinions with Thompson on her New York Herald Tribune column "On the Record," which lasted until 1944.
Dates
- 1894-1948
Creator
- Lamont, Thomas W. (Thomas William) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials stored onsite. Please contact specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu for more information regarding access procedures.
Extent
144 linear feet (286 boxes, 21 volumes)Biographical / Historical
Thomas W. Lamont was an investment banker and recognized expert in international finance. Lamont graduated from Harvard in 1892 and worked for two years as a reporter for the New York Tribune. In 1894 he became a partner in Cushman Brothers, an agent for manufacturers of food products. When the firm proved unstable, Lamont founded Lamont, Corliss and Company to reorganize Cushman. In 1903 he joined Bankers Trust Company and subsequently the First National Bank of New York. In 1911 he became a partner in J. P. Morgan & Company. In 1919 President Wilson appointed him representative of the United States Treasury to the Paris Peace Conference. After the war Lamont was a principal figure in international banking consortia assisting China, Mexico, and other countries. Lamont purchased the New York Evening Post in 1918 and owned it for four years. He helped found and finance the Saturday Review of Literature. He was a director of several corporations and trustee of numerous charities.
Throughout his life, Lamont supported several women’s causes including women’s suffrage and the "movement for the seven women's colleges," as he called it. Among the materials in the collection are records of his involvement in a 1932 to 1933 $30 million fundraising campaign for the Special Advisory Council for the Seven Colleges.
Throughout his life, Lamont supported several women’s causes including women’s suffrage and the "movement for the seven women's colleges," as he called it. Among the materials in the collection are records of his involvement in a 1932 to 1933 $30 million fundraising campaign for the Special Advisory Council for the Seven Colleges.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged inton nine series: I. General correspondence. II. Private and personal correspondence. III. Writings and speeches. IV. International matters. V. Washington. VI. Directorates. VII. File of Frederick W. Jaeger. VIII. Trips. IX. Harvard University..
Physical Location
MANU
Existence and Location of Copies
Boxes 186-190 are available on microfilm (4 reels, 35mm) from Baker Library Special Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 95-1553.
Box 2 of the collection, containing general correspondence (1943-1947) and correspondence with the Academy of Political Science, is available on microfilm (1 reel, 35mm.) from Baker Library Special Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 87-1353.
Boxes 45 and 57,containing correspondence with various clubs and societies, and boxes 110-111, containing correspondence with J.P. Morgan and Co. and Morgan Grenfell and Co., are available on microfilm (4 reels, 35mm) from Baker Library Special Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 98-1999.
Box 2 of the collection, containing general correspondence (1943-1947) and correspondence with the Academy of Political Science, is available on microfilm (1 reel, 35mm.) from Baker Library Special Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 87-1353.
Boxes 45 and 57,containing correspondence with various clubs and societies, and boxes 110-111, containing correspondence with J.P. Morgan and Co. and Morgan Grenfell and Co., are available on microfilm (4 reels, 35mm) from Baker Library Special Collections, Baker Library. Order no. 98-1999.
Creator
- Lamont, Thomas W. (Thomas William) (Person)
- Author
- Baker Library
- Date
- May 2019
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- English
- EAD ID
- bak00948
Repository Details
Part of the Baker Library Special Collections, Harvard Business School, Harvard University Repository
Baker Library Special Collections holds unique resources that focus on the evolution of business and industry, as well as the records of the Harvard Business School, documenting the institution's development over the last century. These rich and varied collections support research in a diverse range of fields such as business, economic, social and cultural history as well as the history of science and technology.
Contact:
Baker Library | Bloomberg Center
Soldiers Field Road
Boston MA 01263 USA
(617) 495-6411
specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu
Baker Library | Bloomberg Center
Soldiers Field Road
Boston MA 01263 USA
(617) 495-6411
specialcollectionsref@hbs.edu