Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
CT 1
Tuttle, Dwight W.
Dwight W. Tuttle Oral History Interviews
1977-1979
.2 Linear feet of shelf space
1 box
Oral history interviews (audiocassettes) conducted by Dwight Tuttle, 1977-1979. The interviewees are Elliot Roosevelt and two of Harry L. Hopkins's children, Robert Hopkins and Diana Hopkins Halsted.
Collection materials are inEnglish
Dwight W. Tuttle began his Ph.D. research in 1976 on Harry Hopkins. In 1977 and 1979 he conducted interviews with Elliot Roosevelt and two of Harry L. Hopkins's children, Robert Hopkins and Diana Hopkins Halsted. He completed his dissertation entitled, "Harry L. Hopkins and Anglo-American-Soviet relations, 1941-1945," in 1980 (WSU H3 1980 T8).
This collection consists of six audiocassettes of oral history interviews conducted by Dwight Tuttle, 1977-1979, and his commentary. The interviewees are Elliot Roosevelt, Robert Hopkins, and Diana Hopkins Halsted. Topics include Harry Hopkins and his relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hopkins' activities in the White House, foreign policy decisions made by the United States during World War II, and information about Hopkins' life. The interviews follow no set pattern. Mechanical difficulties make some sections of the tapes very difficult to understand.
The tapes are arranged chronologically with the most recent interview first.
(MASC STAFF USE): range 3-4.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions apply.
[Item Description]
Dwight W. Tuttle Oral History Interviews, 1977-1979
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections,
Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Dwight W. Tuttle donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1978.
Margot H. Knight abstracted these oral history interviews in May, 1979.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Hopkins, Harry L. (Harry Lloyd), 1890-1946
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.
Roosevelt, Elliott, 1910-1990
Hopkins, Robert, 1921-
Halsted, Diana Hopkins.
Roosevelt, Elliott, 1910-1990
Hopkins, Robert, 1921-
Halsted, Diana Hopkins.
Oral history -- United States.
Oral histories
Series 1/1-2: Elliot Roosevelt, author, son of
Franklin D. Roosevelt; U.S. Army, 1979
Birthdate of Interviewee: Sept. 23, 1910
Interviewer: Dwight W. Tuttle
Location of Interview: Redmond, WA
Date of Interview: February 26, 1979
Length of Interview: 110 minutes
Abstractor: Margot H. Knight
Date of Abstraction: May 18-20, 1979
Release: Yes
Restrictions: No
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 0-5
Harry Hopkins' role as messenger for FDR;
he feels that Hopkins' role was valuable because he did not interject
his own opinions when dealing with foreign policy; he merely implemented
FDR's policies. Discussion of why Hopkins moved into the White House--he
feels it was for personal rather than political reasons. Talks about
relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Hopkins.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 5-10
Hopkins influence on the rise of Averell
Harriman as a policymaker. He feels that Hopkins was used by Harriman.
Harriman's relationship with John ? , the U.S. ambassador to England.
Hopkins ability to deal with Stalin and Churchill. The difficulty of
knowing what Stalin was thinking.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 10-12
The relationship between Stalin and
Churchill.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 12-19
Hopkins' perception of Churchill. Memories
of a conference with Hopkins when he had just become a general in 1945.
FDR's reaction to Hopkins making foreign policy statements while on tour
in Europe in 1945. Discussion as to whether Hopkins did much independent
thinking or not. He was not at the conference at Yalta and thinks it
possible that Hopkins influenced FDR.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 19-24
Discussion as to whether Hopkins and
Roosevelt had a smooth relationship especially in 1944 and 1945 due to
different opinions on foreign policy. Tuttle outlines his thesis as to
Hopkins and FDR's relationship.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 24-29
Discussion as to whether Hopkins knew FDR
was dying. He feels there wasn't a strained relationship but that they
always fought with one another.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 0-2
He doesn't remember Hopkins saying
anything about Truman. Memories of an oil man who wanted to go to Russia
about war reparations. He feels Truman selected naive people to go on
many missions.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 2-8
FDR's perception of the Russians. The
development of capitalism in the Soviet Union although there is still a
monolithic form of government-- Tuttle talks about his impression of
history. FDR never feared the Russians.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 8-10
Discussion as to what would have happened
if the atomic bomb had been given over to the U.N. Tuttle feels that
would have been impossible. Roosevelt feels his father would have
internationalized atomics.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 10-13
Roosevelts ideas on whether or not his
father would have dropped the bomb on Japan.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 13-15
Hopkins' role in the Tehran Conference--he
was always scouting around talking to some of the lesser people. Hopkins
would feel out resentments among the participants. He would fill FDR in
about the various proposals of Churchill's people and Stalin's
people.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 15-17
Elliot Roosevelt is now working as a
realtor. Talks about some pictures on the wall of FDR and Eleanor
Roosevelt done by a Hungarian refugee in a concentration
camp.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 17-20
Tuttle's comments on the sessions with
Roosevelt. Machine jammed during the first session. Elliot Roosevelt
said that Tuttle's interpretation of the Yalta Conference was correct.
Roosevelt also agreed that Hopkins influenced some of FDR's foreign
policy decisions. Roosevelt also agreed with Tuttle's ideas on Hopkins
trip to London in January and February of 1941.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 0-4
Tuttle talks about Hopkins and FDR and
their influences on each other's foreign policy decisions. Tuttle
feels,they were a team and Roosevelt agrees. Dis cussion on the need to
give aid to Russia. More on Hopkins' trip to London in 1941 and
1942.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 4-6
Discussion of Sherwood's jealousy of
Hopkins. Talks about others who resented Hopkins close relationship with
FDR. Story of a plane trip with Sam Rosenman and Baruch.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 6-7
More about Harriman and others who used
Hopkins to further their own careers.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 7-14
Hopkins role during WW II--Tuttle feels he
gave meaning to FDR's policies. Tuttle feels FDR and Hopkins worked as a
team and Roosevelt agrees. Hopkins' relations with others and how he
used his analytical mind.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 14-16
Tuttle talks about FDR, Hopkins, and the
State Department.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 16-22
Discussion of the Atlantic Conference and
the ceremony involving Churchill and FDR. Frances Perkins has implied
that Hopkins set this ceremony up. Roosevelt talks about the Sunday
service and the visiting back and forth between Churchill and FDR.
Hopkins impressed many at the Atlantic Conference.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 22-25
Tuttle talks about Forestal's dislike of
Hopkins. More about Sherwood's book on Hopkins and their
relationship.
2, side A
Minutes (approx.): 25-29
Roosevelt does not remember any specific
conversations with Hopkins about foreign policy decisions.
2, side B
Minutes (approx.): 0-5
He talks about his assignments during WW
II. He knew nothing of Hopkins' trips to London as he was in North
Africa in 1942. Tuttle talks about his percep tions of these London
missions of Hopkins'. He tells about his activities in North Africa and
how they have been tied in with events in Europe.
2, side B
Minutes (approx.): 5-10
Hopkins and the Casablanca Conference.
Roosevelt doesn't recall much of Hopkins' involvement. FDR's feelings
about Britain and the British Empire--FDR felt colonialism had no place
in the modern world.
2, side B
Minutes (approx.): 10-14
Truman's adoption of Churchill's "iron
curtain" speech. Roosevelt tells why Truman was not made privy to FDR's
policy making process. Roosevelt observes that if word on the Manhattan
Project had gotten out, FDR would have been impeached because he had
misappropriated about 2 billion dollars.
2, side B
Minutes (approx.): 14-22
Hopkins' last mission in May and June of
1945. The Potsdam Conference. Roosevelt remembers that many old-guard
FDR people were very unhappy with Jimmy Burns' appointment as Secretary
of State. Stories of problems at Potsdam.
2, side B
Minutes (approx.): 22-30
Truman and the advent of the Cold War and
his dealings with Stalin. Roosevelt feels Churchill's anti-Soviet stance
influenced Truman. He feels that Stalin eventually wanted to liberalize
the government in the Societ Union.
Series 1/3-4: Robert Hopkins,
1977-1979
Interviewer: Dwight W. Tuttle
Location of Interview: Washington, D.C.
Date of Interview: July 21, 1977
Length of Interview: 92 minutes
Abstractor: Margot H. Knight
Date of Abstraction: May, 1979
Release: Yes
Restrictions: No
1
The general subject of the tape is Harry
Hopkins and his relationship to and involvement in foreign policy
decisions made during World War II under FDR and Harry Truman. There is
considerable background buzzing.
2
The general subject of the tape is Harry
Hopkins and his relationship to and invovement in foreign policy
decisions made during World War II under FDR and Harry Truman. There is
considerable background buzzing. Near the end of Side A it becomes
almost totally inaudible.
Series 1/5: Diana Hopkins Halsted,
1977-1979
Interviewer: Dwight W. Tuttle
Location of Interview: Hillsdale
Date of Interview: July 11, 1977
Length of Interview: 57 minutes
Abstractor: Margot H. Knight
Date of Abstraction: May, 1979
Release: Yes
Restrictions: No
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 0-4
Similarities between Adams' and Sherwood's
biographies of Harry Hopkins. She thinks Sherwood's account of Hopkins
was fair and honest.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 4-9
Discussion about Hopkins as a "man of
action." He knew how to present things to FDR. Tuttle talks about his
thesis that Hopkins had definite ideas about foreign policy and was not
simply FDR's errand boy.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 9-13
She has no clear recollections of her
father's illness,
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 13-16
Reasons for FDR's and Hopkins' deep
friendship. She doesn't think it was because they were both
ill.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 17-23
Hopkins' relationship with his mother. His
life growing up in Grinnel. Tuttle discusses Hopkins' idealism. Hopkins'
thought about working for the Red Cross.
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 24-30
Her husband talks of his research on
Hopkins, his illness, and how it affected him.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 0-9
Dr. Halsted talks more about Hopkins'
illness.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 9-11
Discussion as to whether FDR was serious
in considering Hopkins' for the presidency.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 12-13
Halsted talks about whether Hopkins'
illness affected his relationship with FDR.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 13-15
Hopkins' third wife was lovely, gracious,
and apolitical according to Diana Hopkins.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 15-17
Discussion as to why Hopkins divorced his
first wife. She talks about the differences between his three
wives.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 17-19
Hopkins' optimism and how it affected his
life and policy decisions during WW II.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 19-24
Hopkins' role in policy making and
negotiations during World War II. Stories she recalls about Churchill
when he visited the White House.
1, side B
Minutes (approx.): 25-27
Hopkins feelings about the importance of
the war. Son Stephen's death while Hopkins' was in the
hospital.
Series 1/6: Dwight W. Tuttle: Commentary about
Diana Hopkins Halsted, 1977-1979
Interviewer: Dwight W. Tuttle
Location of Interview: Hillsdale
Date of Interview: July 11, 1977
Length of Interview: 5 minutes
Abstractor: Margot H. Knight
Date of Abstraction: May, 1979
Release: Yes
Restrictions: No
1, side A
Minutes (approx.): 0-5
Tuttle makes some comments on the
interview on CT 1/5. He inadvertantly forgot to push the record button,
losing some 20-30 minutes of the interview. He talks about Eleanor
Roosevelt and Harry Hopkins. He also discusses Hopkins' relation with
the press and Bernard Baruch's dinner for Hopkins' third marriage. The
incident of the diamond brocade allegedly given to Hopkins from
Beaverbrook. How Hopkins used his power. He talks about other things he
and Diana Hopkins Halsted talked about.