Papers of Harriet Burton Laidlaw, 1851-1958

The papers have been divided into seven series: Personal and family, General correspondence, Writings and speeches by Harriet Burton Laidlaw, White slavery, Suffrage and other U.S. issues, World War I, and International organizations and issues.

The papers provide information about Laidlaw's youth, education, family, friends, her involvement in woman suffrage campaigns, social and civic reform movements, her dedication to peace and international understanding, and the organizations with which she worked. There is little information about her social life.

There is correspondence in every series, and individuals and issues overlap. Colleagues and associates were also personal friends. Researchers should refer to the Index of Selected Correspondents.

Series I, Personal and family, is divided into three sections. The first, Biographical, includes photographs, clippings, a diary, school and college papers, calling cards, and a guest book. The second section consists of papers pertaining to James Lees Laidlaw (James Lees Laidlaw), and the third, Family, mainly correspondence, is further sub-divided by writer and recipient.

Series II, General correspondence, is divided into two sections. The first consists of letters from a large number of people; they are arranged chronologically, with undated letters at the end. In the second section letters are grouped by writer and arranged chronologically within each group; three of the men represented here were probably suitors of Harriet Burton. Not all enclosures referred to in the letters are extant.

Series III, Writings and speeches by Laidlaw, is divided into five subject sections, four being the same subjects as those covered in series IV-VII, with miscellaneous subjects in the fifth. The arrangement within each section is chronological, and the series includes works in manuscript, typescript, and print.

Series IV, White slavery, mainly documents Laidlaw's and James Lees Laidlaw's support of Rose Livingston, a prostitute turned social reformer, and consists of correspondence (with Rose Livingston and others), photographs, reports, and writings and speeches by others. There is also a typescript of "My Story: The history of a prostitute's life in San Francisco," by Margaret von Staden. The overall arrangement is chronological, with undated and miscellaneous material at the end.

Series V, Suffrage and other United States issues, is divided into the following sections: National American Woman Suffrage Association, Men's League for Woman Suffrage, New York State suffrage campaign, Other suffrage organizations, Other suffrage correspondence, Anti-suffrage material, Labor, League of Women Voters, and Prohibition. The last three subjects are included here because Laidlaw's suffrage activities led naturally to her involvement in related issues. The series consists of correspondence, photographs, minutes, financial records, press releases, bulletins, printed material, lists, reports, speeches, fliers, programs, valentines. The letters from Anna Howard Shaw to Laidlaw discuss personalities and disagreements in the suffrage movement. Each section is arranged chronologically. Much of the correspondence related to the Men's League for Woman Suffrage is with James Lees Laidlaw.

Series VI, World War I, includes correspondence, certificates, and printed material re: Laidlaw's activities during 1917-1919. There is also information concerning the status of Army and Navy nurses. The arrangement is chronological.

Series VII, International organizations and issues, includes correspondence, reports, minutes, printed matter, press releases, lists, programs, and statements of purpose. The bulk of the material relates to the League of Nations and organizations supporting it; the remainder is about other international groups with which Laidlaw was affiliated. The arrangement is chronological.

Laidlaw subscribed to a clipping service; these and other clippings were scattered throughout the collection; most were discarded after microfilming.