Hemlock Society records, 1950-1999

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hemlock (Society)
Title
Hemlock Society records
Dates
1950-1999 (inclusive)
Quantity
41.48 cubic feet (48 boxes) including textual materials, 26 audiotapes, 138 videotapes, and 1 film reel
Collection Number
4270
Summary
Records of an organization dedicated to exploring and expounding the options and rights of active voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact repository for details.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Organization dedicated to exploring and expounding the options and rights of active voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill. The Hemlock Society changed its name to End-of-Life Choices in 2003, and then merged to become Compassion and Choices in 2004.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Publications, trial transcripts, videotapes, audiotapes, clippings,mailings, exhibit items, posters, memorabilia, reports, membership material, subject series, bibliographies, writings, legislation, organizational materials, interview transcripts, correspondence, newsletters.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 8 accessions.

  • Accession No. 4270-001, Hemlock Society records, 1980-1990
  • Accession No. 4270-002, Hemlock Society records, 1970-1992
  • Accession No. 4270-003, Hemlock Society records, 1978-1991
  • Accession No. 4270-004, Hemlock Society records, 1950-1988
  • Accession No. 4270-005, Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1991
  • Accession No. 4270-006, Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1988
  • Accession No. 4270-007, Hemlock Society records, 1986-1995
  • Accession No. 4270-008, Hemlock Society records, 1987-1999

Related Materials

Lauretta Molitor Federation of the Right-To-Die Societies 7th Biennial Conference video collection (6399-001)

The Final Exit website has been regularly captured by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine since 2014. The snapshots can be viewed here: https://wayback.archive-it.org/4224/*/http://www.finalexit.org/

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 4270-001: Hemlock Society records, 1980-1990Return to Top

.67 cubic foot

Scope and Content: Publications, trial transcript, videotapes.

Publication are mainly those of the Hemlock Society.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 11/1/1990.

Accession No. 4270-002: Hemlock Society records, 1970-1992Return to Top

1.89 cubic feet including 24 audiotapes and 25 videotapes

Scope and Content: Audiotapes, videotapes, publications including hardbound monographs, clippings, mailings (only a few), exhibit items, posters, memorabilia.

Video content related primarily to right-to-die issues and euthanasia. Washington State Initiative 119, Physician-Assisted Death (1991) figures prominently. If passed, the measure would have legalized assisted death in cases of medically terminal conditions. The initiative was defeated 53.6% to 46.4%.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 5/1/1992.

Processing Info: List of videotape content transcribed from handwritten list.

Container(s) Description Dates
Videotapes
General Notes: Initiatives referenced are as follows:
  • I-119: Death with Dignity
  • I-120: Reproductive Rights
  • I-553: Term Limits
  • I-559: Reduce real estate tax levy
Box Accession
1 4270-002
Tape 1: "Alternatives for the Incurable Person," Pullman Free U. class (35 min.); "I-119, I-120, I-553 Panels"
1991-1992
1 4270-002
Tape 2: "Alternatives for the Incurable Person," Pullman Free U. class (35 min.); GMA, 12/21/1991, brief item on miracle "recovery" in MO.
1991
1 4270-002
Tape 3: LWV Forum I-119 (Vancouver, WA) (26 min.); KXLY News, Ch. 4 on I-119 (5 min.)
1991
1 4270-002
Tape 4: U of Idaho Cable 8, "Mostly Moscow" 4/4/1990, "Right to Die" discussion; KHQ Ch. 6 Spokane "Upfront" 4/22/1990, Rob Neil and Peter Mark (sp?); [The] City TV News 5/3/1990, short clips on 6 Ch. visit; KING-TV Seattle "Compton Report," 5/5/1990; KLEW Ch. 2 Spokane, "Soapbox 'Right to Die 2'"
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 5: PBS "Right to Die" date?; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4, Donahue "Right to Die" 3/30/1990; Q6 Spokane NBC "Upfront" Abortion review; CNN "Living Wills"; CNN Sonya Live "Right to Die"; Spokane TV news clips I-119, 1/2/1990; Tacoma Ch. 11 TV, I-119
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 6: "Borderline Medicine" Walter Conkite, 12/17/1990; "Health Insurance and Vet. Medicine" 20/20, 1/4/1990; KXLY-Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] clip, 3/8/1990; PBS Frontline 4/30/1990 "Care for Mom and Dad"
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 7: KOMO Seattle "Town Meeting" 7/27/1990 Janet Adkins Death; PBS "Team Suicide" 1/23/1991; Ch. 9 Pullman Community Annoucements I-119 on Hemlock (?)
1990-1991
1 4270-002
Tape 8: KVEV Kennewick news clips re: BCH 4/5/1990; KHQ Spokane and various news clips 6/1990; KXLY Spokane Nightline 6/6/1990; KXLY Spokane WA Medical Society clip; KXLY Donahue clip 9/26/1990' PBS Spokane "Living Willis"
1990-1991
1 4270-002
Tape 9: KHQ Spokane "Upfront" 4/22/1990; "Right to Die" CNN clips 4/25/1990; KXLY Spokane "Donate Organs" Donahue, 4/27/1990; PBS Spokane "Dying in Boston Hospital, 4/27/1990; KREM Spokane "Soapbox" 7/1/1990 BCH; KSPS Spokane PBS "Forever Young" ; Ch. 9 Pullman Community Calendar
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 10: PBS "Cruzan Case: 12/13/1989; KHQ Spokane Ch. 4 Upfront" 4/22/1990; CNN "Right to Die"; Various news clips
1989-1990
1 4270-002
Tape 11: KUID TV (PBS) Tape of MIssouri broadcast 3/1/1990; KREM Spokane Ch. 2 CBS 60 Minutes, "Til Death Do Us Part"; Miscellaneous news clips
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 12: Vancouver Ch. 40 CTV-lWV panels I-120, I-553, and I-557 (duplicated from 3/4 in. original tapes) 10/3/1991
1991
1 4270-002
Tape 13: Pullman C of C panels on I-119, I-120, and I-553 held at Pullman City Hall , videotape from Ch. 37 Pullman, 10/30/1991
1991
1 4270-002
Tape 14: C-Span 1/28/1991 ABA program on Cruzan case; PBS Frontline "Care for Mom and Dad" 5/5/1991
1991
1 4270-002
Tape 15: KLEW Spokane Ch. 2, "Euthanasia in Holland" 60 Minutes-CBS, 1/5/1986; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 "Pill Stockpiling" 60 Minutes-CBS, 1/12/1986; C-Span 11/25/1990 "Refuse Medical Treatment"; PBS - McNeil/Lehrer 1/14/1986 "Peter Case"; CNN 12/[23]/1990 Dr. Kevorkian; Ch. 9 - Pullman Community Calendar Events I-119 notice
1986-1990
1 4270-002
Tape 16: Panel: "Death with Dignity," Pullman City Hall, 9/18/1990, Kennedy, Von Frank, Day on panel (original master copy, camera)
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 17: PBS - Cruzan Case 12/13/1989; Movie: "Who Lives? Who Dies?" In progress; Movie: "Never Say Die" PBS (children's review); CNN Larry King AMA-JAMA article
1989
1 4270-002
Tape 18: KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] clip on living well, August 1990; CNN Sonya Live, AIDS patients, August 1990; CNN Issues and Answers, "Health Care" August 1990;
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 19: Various news clips on I-119; PBS Frontline, "Care for the Elderly 4/30/19??; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] 10/30/1990, "AIDS and Alzheimers"; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 60 Minutes-CBS, "Hitler and Euthanasia" 4/14/1991
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 19: Various news clips on I-119; PBS Frontline, "Care for the Elderly 4/30/19??; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 GMA [Good Morning America] 10/30/1990, "AIDS and Alzheimers"; KLEW Spokane Ch. 2 60 Minutes-CBS, "Hitler and Euthanasia" 4/14/1991
1990-1991
1 4270-002
Tape 20: Community Forum: Milton-Freewater, Oregon 4/5/1990; "Right to Die" BCH and 4 others Blue MT CC sponsored
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 21: PBS McNeil/Lehrer segments on I-119, 10/25/1991; KXLY Spokane Ch. 4 20/20 segment on I-119, 11/1/1991; KREM Spokane Ch. 2 WA Initiatives Forum; Spo TV ??, 10/30/1991 news clips
1990
1 4270-002
Tape 22: National Hemlock Society: "A Time to Die"
1 4270-002
Tape 23: ABC Sunday Night Movie: "Last Wish"

Accession No. 4270-003: Hemlock Society records, 1978-1991Return to Top

2.21 cubic feet (3 boxes)

Scope and Content: Newsletters, periodicals, publications, monographs, Roper Poll report, conferences and conventions, membership material, subject series.

Processing Info: All books were removed from archival collection for cataloging. Newsletters published by Hemlock Society were removed for cataloging; newsletters of other organizations remain with the archival collection.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Bruce Harding, 3/30/1993.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 4270-003
7th Biennial Conference of the World Federation Right-To-Die Societies
1988 April 7-10
1 4270-003
Euthanasia - A Decade of Change
1968-1977
1 4270-003
The 1986 Guide to the Nation's Hospices, National Hospice Organization
1986
1 4270-003
Hemlock Society membership materials
1992-1993
1 4270-003
A living will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care plus guide to completion [template]
General Notes: Published by the Hemlock Society
1990
1 4270-003
Association Belge pour le driot de mourir dans la dignité, revue de presse
1982-1983
1 4270-003
Voluntary Euthanasia Society, Wellington, New Zealand
1984-1987
1 4270-003
ANMD, France
1983-1989
1 4270-003
Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New South Wales
1980-1987
1 4270-003
Japan Society for Dying with Dignity
1985-1987
1 4270-003
Society for the Right to Die with Dignity, India
1983-1985
1 4270-003
DMD, Columbia
1984-1987
1 4270-003
DMD, Spain
1984-1987
1 4270-003
ICVE, Netherlands
1981-1988
1 4270-003
VES, London
1978-1987
1 4270-003
Western Australia Euthanasia Society (WAVES)
1984-1987
1 4270-003
Voluntary Euthanasia Society of Victoria (VESV) Australia
1981-1987
1 4270-003
RWS Belgium
1985-1987
1 4270-003
ADMD Switzerland
1984-1987
1 4270-003
ADMD, Belgium
1984-1987
1 4270-003
Frontlines (Newsletter of Center for Health Ethics and Policy, University of Colorado, Denver)
1986-1987
1 4270-003
VES, Scotland
1981-1987
1 4270-003
Dying with Dignity, Canada
1984-1987
1 4270-003
RTVD, Stockholm
1978-1987
1 4270-003
Alzheimer's
1985-1987
1 4270-003
World Conference
1984, 1988
1 4270-003
Ethical Issues in Medicine, UCLC Medical Center
1986-1987
1 4270-003
American Association of Suicidology
1984-1987
1 4270-003
Society for the Right to Die
1984-1987
2 4270-003
Suicide Information & Education Center
1983-1985
2 4270-003
California Medical Association Briefing Book
1986
2 4270-003
Survey of California Physicians
1988
2 4270-003
World Right to Die Organization
1981-1987
2 4270-003
Concern for Dying
1978-1987
3 4270-003
NRL News
1983-1987
3 4270-003
New Jersey Right to Life News
1990
3 4270-003
National Hospice Organization
1982-1986
3 4270-003
Humanes Leben Humanes Sterben, DGHS Germany
1981-1987

Accession No. 4270-004: Hemlock Society records, 1950-1988 (bulk 1980-1988)Return to Top

5.42 cubic feet (6 boxes) including 11 videotapes and 1 film reel ; 8mm.

Scope and Content: Clippings (photocopies), 1950-ca. 1984; bibliographies, writings, legislation, organizational materials, interview transcripts, videotape cassettes of television interviews, one motion-picture film, 1978-1987; and related items.

These materials document, in part, the founding of the Society and early press coverage of the right to die issue. Interview transcripts seem to have been the work of Ann Wickett for a book.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Videotapes may not be copied.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 5/3/1994.

Accession No. 4270-005: Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1991Return to Top

8.66 cubic feet (11 boxes) including 102 videotapes

Scope and Content: Biographical features of Derek Humphry, correspondence, subject series, newsletter files, conference planning papers, bequest records, videotapes, and other records of the Society.

Includes a coffee mug produced by the Society when it was based in Los Angeles. A-J correspondence not included.

Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact repository for details.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 6/17/1994.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 4270-005
Humphry, Derek biographical features
1 4270-005
Correspondence L-Z
1980-93
2 4270-005
Correspondence L-Z
1980-93
2 4270-005
Coffee mug
General Notes: produced by Hemlock Society when it was based in Los Angeles
3 4270-005
Subject Series
1988-93
4 4270-005
Subject Series
1988-93
5 4270-005
Bequest Records
1984-93
6 4270-005
Bequest Records
1984-93
7 4270-005
Newsletter Files
1991-93
7 4270-005
Conferences and Conventions
1981-90
8 4270-005
Videotapes
9 4270-005
Videotapes
10 4270-005
Correspondence
General Notes: re aid in dying
11 4270-005
Correspondence
General Notes: re aid in dying

Accession No. 4270-006: Hemlock Society records, circa 1980-1988Return to Top

16.63 cubic feet (18 boxes)
2 audiotapes
25 videotapes

Scope and Content: Clippings, correspondence, conferences, videotapes, audiocassettes, publications of the Society.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users, but access to portions of the papers restricted. Contact repository for details.

Restrictions on Use: Literary rights retained by Hemlock Society.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Hemlock Society, 1/1/1996.

Container(s) Description
Box Accession
1 4270-006
Correspondence in Subject Series -- Conference
2-3 4270-006
Correspondence of Publications
4 4270-006
Correspondence
5 4270-006
Correspondence
Restrictions on Access: RESTRICTED
6 4270-006
Copy for Printing and Publications
General Notes: See oversize box 16
7-14 4270-006
Clippings in subject series
15 4270-006
Videotapes
General Notes: "The Right to Choose to Die," "A Time to Die," "Focus on You," and others
16 4270-006
Copy for Printing and Publications
General Notes: See box 6
17-18 4270-006
Correspondence

Accession No. 4270-007: Hemlock Society records, 1986-1995 (bulk 1990-1995)Return to Top

2.00 cubic feet (2 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, newsletters, audio tapes, conferences and similar records related to the leadership of the national organization. These files were created by John Westover, Board president 1990-1992 and ongoing Board member.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Literary rights retained by Hemlock Society according to the 1990 agreement with the University of Washington.

Acquisition Info: Donated by John Westover, 3/17/1997.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Accession
1 4270-007
General Correspondence
17 folders
1990-1995
1 4270-007
Board Minutes
2 folders
1988-1993
1 4270-007
Washington D.C. conference audio tape
1 folder
1986
1 4270-007
San Francisco conference audio tape
1 folder
1988
1 4270-007
Phoenix conference
3 folders
1990
1 4270-007
Denver conference
3 folders
1991
1 4270-007
Long Beach, CA conference
1 folder
1992
1 4270-007
Miscellaneous conferences
1 folder
1988-1993
1 4270-007
Proposition 161
3 folders
1988-1993
2 4270-007
Initiative 119
2 folders
1990-1992
2 4270-007
Financial Records
2 folders
1989-1993
2 4270-007
IRS Problems
4 folders
1989-1992
2 4270-007
Hemlock Board Retreat
2 folders
1992
2 4270-007
National Chapters
1 folder
1989-1992
2 4270-007
National Board Materials
5 folders
1989-1993
2 4270-007
National Hemlock Employees
1 folder
1990
2 4270-007
Board Nominations
1 folder
1991-1992
2 4270-007
Midwest Tour
1 folder
1991
2 4270-007
Selection of Executive Director
1 folder
1992
2 4270-007
Cruzan Care
2 folders
1988-1991
2 4270-007
Roper Poll
1 folder
1991
2 4270-007
Board Member Manual
1 folder
1991-1993
2 4270-007
Newsletters - "Compassion in Dying"
1 folder
1993-1995
2 4270-007
Newsletters - Hemlock Chapters
8 folders
1990-1996

Accession No. 4270-008: Hemlock Society records, 1987-1999 (bulk 1996-1999)Return to Top

4.00 cubic feet (4 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, reports, publications, and other materials of John G. Westover, President 1990-1992, and an ongoing Board member, as well as Chair of the Chapter Relations and Planning Committee in 1996.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Acquisition Info: Donated by John G. Westover, 12/12/2000.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Euthanasia
  • Euthanasia--History--Sources
  • Euthanasia--Law and legislation--History--Sources
  • Euthanasia--Social aspects--History--Sources
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Right to die
  • Right to die--History--Sources
  • Right to die--Law and legislation--History--Sources
  • Right to die--Social aspects--History--Sources

Personal Names

  • Gilbert, Roswell W
  • Humphry, Derek, 1930-
  • Westover, John
  • Wickett, Ann

Corporate Names

  • Hemlock (Society)--Archives
  • Hemlock Society U.S.A--Archives

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Kevorkiian, Jack (creator)
    • Kuhse, Helga (creator)
    • Rosoff, Sidney D (creator)
    • Skinner, B. F. (Burrhus Frederic), 1904-1990 (creator)
    • Wickett, Ann (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • World Federation of Right-to-Die Societies