Whitney North Seymour papers

1930-1983 [bulk 1950-1980]

Whitney North Seymour (1901-1983) was a New York City trial lawyer who was active in numerous legal, civic, political, and social organizations. After receiving his law degree from Columbia University in 1923, Seymour joined the law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett. He became a partner in 1929 and was associated with the firm for the rest of his life. Seymour was active in legal groups and frequently served in official capacities. Among these were the American Bar Association (president 1960-1961), the American Bar Foundation (president 1960-1964), and the Legal Aid Society (president 1945-1950). Seymour was particularly noted for his activities on behalf of civil liberties and civil rights, and this is reflected in his participation in the American Civil Liberties Union (board member 1938-1953), the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, and the Special Committee on Individual Rights as Affected by National Security. Among the civic groups in which Seymour was active were the New York Community Trust, the Council on Library Resources, and Freedom House. Collection consists of Seymour's personal correspondence, 1930-1983; his desk diaries, 1951, 1959-1971; and subject files, 1932-1983, on organizations and individuals with which he was associated. Personal correspondence contains family letters, letters of recommendation, and correspondence with friends and associates concerning personal and professional matters. Subject files make up over 90% of the collection. Greatest bulk of the subject files relates to legal associations but there are civic, political, religious and neighborhood groups represented as well. Files for the American Bar Association, 1944-1980, which comprise nearly one-quarter of the collection, consist of Seymour's presidential papers, files on the Board of Governors and House of Delegates, and many ABA committees. Other major legal organizational records concern the American Bar Foundation, 1953-1980, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 1947-1983, the Legal Aid Society, 1949-1982, the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, 1966-1983, and the New York State Temporary Commission on the Courts, 1953-1959. Prominent civic associations include the Council on Library Resources, 1958-1983, Freedom House, 1951-1983, the New World Foundation, 1957-1974, and the New York Community Trust, 1946-1981. In all, there are over 225 individuals and organizations represented in the subject files.