Paul O'Dwyer Papers
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Creator
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Abstract
Paul O'Dwyer (1907-1998) was an Irish politician and lawyer based in New York City active in numerous Irish American organizations who frequently worked cases concerning human rights and progressive causes. He was one of the founders of the O'Dwyer & Bernstien law firm in Manhattan, often working workers' rights, human rights, and civil rights cases. Although his interest in progressive causes was broad, he was especially involved and committed to conflict in Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. The collection documents his personal, political, and professional activities, including personal correspondence, in which personal matters and relationships are inextricably intertwined with political activism and professional activities; subject files, which cover topics concerning civil rights, human rights, Irish American organizations, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the United Nations, with specific emphasis on immigration and human rights issues; and the records of the Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation, displaying the interconnected nature of human rights and philanthropy in the city.
Biographical Note
Paul O'Dwyer (1907-1998) was an Irish politician and lawyer based in New York City active in numerous Irish American organizations who frequently worked cases concerning human rights and progressive causes. He was born in Bohola, County Mayo, Ireland and later emigrated to Brooklyn, New York when he was 18. He was one of the founders of the O'Dwyer & Bernstien law firm in Manhattan, often working cases defending workers' rights, human rights, and civil rights. He was an active member of the National Lawyers' Guild, and served as the organization's president in 1947. He held numerous public positions, including New York City Council member and New York City Commissioner to the United Nations and Consular Corps.
Although his interest in progressive causes was broad, he was especially involved and committed to conflict in Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. O'Dwyer was a prominent member of many Irish American organizations that lobbied on behalf of nationalist causes and pressured American politicians to take a more active role in the peace process in Northern Ireland. In both an official and unofficial capacity, he focused on extradition and immigration cases. His older brother was New York City Mayor William O'Dwyer, and his son is lawyer Brian O'Dwyer.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into three series, all of which are arranged alphabetically. The series are as follows:
I. Personal Materials
II. Subject Files
III. Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation Records
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of materials documenting the personal, political, and professional activities of Paul O'Dwyer, an Irish-born lawyer and politician based in New York City. Materials include personal correspondence, in which personal matters and relationships are inextricably intertwined with political activism and professional activities; subject files, which cover topics concerning civil rights, human rights, Irish American organizations, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the United Nations, with specific emphasis on immigration and human rights issues; and the records of the Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation, displaying the interconnected nature of human rights and philanthropy in the city. The collection not only documents O'Dwyer's life and interests, but also reveals the efforts of individual people and organizations who labor to make broad social and political change.
Subjects
Topics
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) held by Paul O'Dwyer, the creator of this collection, were relinquished and transferred to the public domain by Brian O'Dwyer in 2014. These materials are governed by a Creative Commons CC0 license. Users need not secure permission from the Tamiment Library to publish or reproduce materials in this collection.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Paul O'Dwyer Papers; AIA 069; box number; folder number; Archives of Irish America, Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Brian O'Dwyer (Paul's son) in February 2014. The accession number associated with this gift is 2014.007.
Appraisal
Based on the initial survey of materials at the O'Dwyer & Bernstien law firm, materials concerning personal injury and estate cases were not taken as part of this collection.
About this Guide
Processing Information
The majority of the materials were in hanging files with accurate descriptive titles. As much as possible, these groupings and descriptions were retained. The subject files, for example, were originally organized in an alphabetical run, an order which has been retained here. Some materials were loose in boxes or in large folders that were either unlabeled or labeled "Miscellaneous." These materials were comprised of primarily personal correspondence and newspaper articles. Due to the large volume of personal correspondence, these materials were roughly sorted alphabetically for ease of access and use. Loose materials pertaining to specific topics or organizations were interfiled into the alphabetical subject files run, as appropriate. Proposals to the Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation had no original order; due to the large volume, these were roughly sorted alphabetically for ease of access and use.
The collection was rehoused in acid-free folders and boxes, and described by an archivist. Extensive duplicates were discarded if not annotated.
Repository
Personal Materials
Christmas Cards, 1993-1994, inclusive
Invitations, 1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: A, 1991-1992, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: B, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: C, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: D, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: E, 1992-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: F, 1991-1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: G, 1992-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: H, 1992-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: I, 1991-1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: J, 1991, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: K, 1991-1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: L, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: M, 1991-1995, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: N, 1992-1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: O, 1988-1992, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: P, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: Q, 1991, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: R, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: S, 1990-1993, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: T, 1991-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: U, 1991, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: V, 1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: W, 1992-1994, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: Y, 1991, inclusive
Personal Correspondence: Unknown, 1990-1994, inclusive
Special Correspondence: Condolence Letters, 1998, inclusive
Special Correspondence: Kathleen O'Dwyer Memorial Correspondence, 1980-1981, inclusive
Will, 1989, inclusive
Subject Files
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of an alphabetical run of subject files created and kept by Paul O'Dwyer. They document his broad areas of interest and activism, and are heavily weighted towards issues concerning conflict and human rights in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The series contains files on many of the organizations O'Dwyer was involved in that lobbied domestic government representatives for a more assertive American diplomatic presence in Ireland and Northern Ireland, including Americans for a New Irish Agenda, the Behon Law Society, the Irish American Unity Conference, and Irish-Americans for Clinton-Gore, amongst others. Prominent human rights, immigration, and extradition cases concerning Northern Ireland are also well-represented, including Joe Doherty, the Birmingham Six, and the Guildford Four and Maguire Seven. Friends and acquaintances present in these files were often allies in activism, and members of particular organizations often overlapped. This series also contains numerous files dating from O'Dwyer's work with the New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps.
1981 Memorial Foundation, 1991, inclusive
Action from Ireland, 1986, inclusive
Gerry Adams et al v. George Schultz et al, 1988, inclusive
Adams, John Quincy, 1991, inclusive
American Committee for Ulster Justice, 1992, inclusive
Americans for a New Irish Agenda, 1993, inclusive
Amnestry International: Report of an Amnesty International Missiong to Northern Ireland, Jun 1978
Amnestry International USA, 1992, inclusive
Archives Research, 1992, inclusive
Bay, James, 1991, inclusive
Biaggi, Mario, Jun 1993
Birmingham Six, 1989, inclusive
Boyle, Francis, 1985-1993, inclusive
Brehon Law Society, 1990-1994, inclusive
Breslin, Jimmy, Dec 16, 1991
Britain and Ireland Human Rights Project, 1985, inclusive
British Brutality in Ireland by Jack O'Brien, 1988-1989, inclusive
The Brooklyn Sun Interview, May 1980
Callaghan, Jim, 1991, inclusive
Callery, Sean. "One Eyed Reilly", 1992, inclusive
Carrow, Owen, undated
Clinton, Bill, 1992-1993, inclusive
College of Advanced Learning (Mohill, Co. Leitrim), undated
Columbia University Nurses, 1992, inclusive
Conde, Sergeant, 1993, inclusive
Congressional Record, Mar 11, 1986
Coughlan, Anthony. "A Unitary Irish State", undated
Cree Indians, 1993, inclusive
De Valera, Eamon, 1989, inclusive
Doherty, Joe, 1985-1992, inclusive
Ellis Island, 1990-1992, inclusive
Extradition, 1985-1986, inclusive
Finucane, Patrick, 1989, inclusive
Friends of Homeless Irish Children, 1991-1992, inclusive
Friends of Irish Freedom, 1992, inclusive
Fugazy, Bill, 1991-1992, inclusive
Gaelic Games Broadcasting, 1994, inclusive
Gibraltar Assassinations, 1987-1989, inclusive
Goshen, NY, 1987-1992, inclusive
Grosse Ille, 1984-1991, inclusive
Guildford Four and Maguire Seven, 1987-1989, inclusive
Hall, Michael: General, 1987-1988, inclusive
Hall, Michael: Typscript, undated
Honorary Doctorate from College of St. Thomas, 1984, inclusive
Horse and Carriages, 1992-1993, inclusive
Immigration Assistance, 1985-1988, inclusive
Irish American Partnership, 1993, inclusive
Irish American Unity Conference, 1992-1993, inclusive
Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, 1990, inclusive
Irish Council for Civil Liberties / Committee on the Administration of Justice, 1992-1993, inclusive
Irish Institute, 1992, inclusive
The Irish Nation Newsletter, 1984-1986, inclusive
Irish National Caucus / Fr. Sean McManus, 1992-1993, inclusive
Irish Presbyterians, undated
Irish Protestants, 1987, inclusive
King, Peter, 1992, inclusive
Kurdistan Forum, Sep 2, 1992
Lemisch, Jesse. "Listening To The 'Inarticulate': William Widger's Dream and the Loyalties of American Revolutionary Seamen in British Prisons," Journal of Social History, 1969, inclusive
Lobbying Efforts Regarding Northern Ireland (Various Groups), 1989-1990, inclusive
Lynch, Paddy, 1993, inclusive
MacBride Principles Coalition of Ohio, 1992-1993, inclusive
MacBride, Sean, undated
Mayo Foundation, 1989-1993, inclusive
McCrudden, Christopher, "Affirmative Action and Fair Participation: Interpreting the Fair Employment Act of 1989," Industrial Law Journal, Sep 1992
Medal of Liberty Awards and Protest, 1986, inclusive
Metress, Seamus P. "British Occupied Ireland: Dying Colonialism and Nationalism in Conflict", 1985, inclusive
Miller, Kerby; Doyle, David N.; Kelleher, Patricia. "For Love and Liberty: Irishwomen, Emigration, and Domesticity in Ireland and America, 1815-1920." Inaugural Lecture at NYU Glucksman Ireland House, Nov 5, 1992
Moylan, Sean, before 1957
NECO Armenian Earthquake Fund, 1988, inclusive
"New Ireland: The Irish on Prince Edward Island" Exhibit at the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation, 1990, inclusive
New Ireland Forum, 1984-1985, inclusive
The New Nation, Apr 1989
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: General, 1986-1990, inclusive
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: Articles and Press Releases, 1990, inclusive
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: Brehon Law Society Proposal for Human Rights and Civil Liberties in Northern Ireland, 1992, inclusive
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: The Economic Impact of the Diplomatic Community on the City of New York, Dec 1989
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: Resignation, 1992, inclusive
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: Swearing-in, 1990, inclusive
New York Commission for the United Nations and Consular Corps: Transition Materials, 1990, inclusive
New York Observer Article, 1992, inclusive
New York State Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, 1988, inclusive
Newspaper Clippings: General, 1990-1995, inclusive
Newspaper Clippings: Featuring O'Dwyer, 1979-1990, inclusive
NGO Models of Conflict Resolution Casebook, Sep 1993
Northern Ireland Human Rights Monitoring Office, 1992, inclusive
Northern Ireland Report, 1992, inclusive
Pat O'Connor O'Dwyer Forrestry Foundation, 1990-1991, inclusive
O'Gardhra, Nollaig, 1991-1992, inclusive
Paine, Thomas, 1978-1989, inclusive
Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the US Economy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Nov 11, 1984
Perot, Ross, 1992, inclusive
Puerto Rico, Apr 1989
Quill, Mike, 1991, inclusive
Quinn, Liam, 1987, inclusive
Sallins Mail Train Robbery Case, 1989, inclusive
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York Public Library), 1991, inclusive
St. James Church, 1984, inclusive
St. John's University School of Law Golden Jubilee, 1981, inclusive
St. Patrick's Day, 1992-1993, inclusive
Stalker Inquiry, 1988, inclusive
"State Terrorism," The Irish Education Series, after 1981
Szyferblatt, Jul 1993
Tara Circle, 1992, inclusive
"Terrorism and Human Rights: Counter-Insurgency and Necessity at Common Law," Notre Dame Lawyer (Lowry, David R.), 1977, inclusive
Time to Go! (Northern Ireland Campaign), 1989-1990, inclusive
Tyrie, Andrew, 1980-1984, inclusive
US v. Henry Hillick, James Conlon, Francis Michael Larkin, Kiernan Francis McMahon, and William Westerlund, 1974, inclusive
Wagner Archives Interview, 1993-1994, inclusive
Winchester, England Case, 1988, inclusive
Wine, Judge Hubert C., 1993, inclusive
Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation Records
Scope and Content Note
The Charles L. Keith and Clara Miller Foundation is a philanthropic organization that funds civil rights and immigrant rights projects and organizations. O'Dwyer was President of the foundation in the early 1990s. This series consists of memoranda from meetings of the foundation's Board of Trustees and a large number of proposals from organizations seeking funding, ranging from small, local projects to well-established organizations, such as the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Legal aid and civil rights for particular nationalities are particularly well-represented amongst the proposals.
