Louis I. Jaffé was born in Detroit, Michigan, February 22, 1888, the son of Phillip and Lotta Maria (Kahn) Jaffé. When Jaffé was twelve
years
old, his family moved to Durham, North Carolina, and he graduated from high school there in 1907. In 1911, he received an
A.B. degree from Trinity College (now Duke University).
While a student at Trinity, Jaffé edited The Chronicle, a campus weekly, and was associate editor of The Archive , a college monthly. After
graduation, he joined the staff of the Durham Sun, but left a short time later to become a reporter and assistant city editor for the Richmond Times-
Dispatch .
In 1917, Jaffé was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Section, Officer's Reserve Corps of the United
States Army. He was re-commissioned in the Aviation Section 1918, and again in
1919 with the Service of Supply. He was honorably discharged in France, March 29, 1919, and was commissioned as Inspector
in the American National Red Cross with rank of Captain. He served on the Red Cross
Commission to the Balkans from April to July, 1919, and was director of the Red Cross News Service in Paris from July to October,
1919. He was made a Chevalier of the State of Roumania, and honor bestowed in
recognition of his work there with the Red Cross Commission.
After the war, Jaffé went to Norfolk to become editor of the Virginian-Pilot , a position he held from 1919 until his death in 1950. He was prominent among Virginia liberal
journalists and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1929 for an editorial deploring a lynching which took place in Houston, Texas, on
the eve of the Democratic National Convention.
In one of his last editorials, dated February 25, 1950, concerning the "mercy killing" of the Boothe bill for desegregation
of Virginia public transportation he wrote: "The Virginia Democratic organization
makes haste slowly in the field of social-political reform...It is still too uneasy about the impact of de-segregation on
common carries to give the proposal anything like an official blessing. That will come
later-after a longer look at this highly desirable reform, and possibly after another shove or two from the Supreme Court
of the United States."
This addition to the Louis I. Jaffé Papers, 1818 (ca. 1919-1974), consists of ca. 1471 items (1.3 shelf ft.), including Jaffé's
correspondence files "A" through "D," photographs, and several
miscellaneous items. The correspondence contains information on a wide variety of topics including the role of a free press
and its relations to political partisanship, prohibition, the Virginia anti-lynching
bill, promotion of better race relations, the teaching of evolution, and the economy.
Jaffé's correspondence with Harry Byrd contains 11 items and includes discussion of Byrd's consolidation program, his support
of the anti-lynching bill, state and federal politics and expansion of the
state franchise.
Other items of possible interest include a signed autograph letter from Gertrude Stein to M.A. Agelasto, 1934 [Nov. 11]; a
typed manuscript (copy) article on J.J. Lankes by [Louis Jaffé] with holograph
comments on the sides and top by Robert Frost, 1941 Nov. 9; The Book Dial, vol. VI, no. 4, which contains articles and woodcuts
by J.J. Lankes , 1931 June 1-1932 April 10, with woodcuts enclosed; and a collection
of bookplates, 1930-1942 and n.d., and Christmas cards, 1934-1950, by J.J. Lankes .
The correspondence file is alphabetically arranged in boxes one through four. Correspondence designated as "brief or less
important" by Mrs. Jaffé has been grouped alphabetically within general folders.
Each general group precedes the folders designated for separate individuals.
The correspondence file is followed by a miscellaneous section in box 4. The miscellaneous correspondence is alphabetically
arranged and is followed by the miscellaneous items, also arranged alphabetically. The
photographs are at the end of box 4.
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "A"
1925-1949
26 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with William S. Abell
1949 Jan. 10-May 2
10 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Randolph G. Adams
1923 Jan. 18-1931 Dec. 2
8 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Dr. Edward A. Alderman and Mrs. Alderman
1919 Dec. 16-1931 May 1
16 items
Box 1
Corespondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Lt. Col. Henry W. Anderson
1919 Nov. 12-1954 Jan. 9
10 items;
includes newsclippings and a photograph
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Sherwood Anderson
1930 Aug.-1941 Dec. 21, n.d.
44 items;
including some correspondence from Eleanor Anderson, Bob Anderson, and Louis Gruenberg; also, a TMs (copy) address by Anderson,
14 l.; and a newsclipping
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Campbell Arnoux of WTAR radio
1934 April 12-1949 Aug. 31
3 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé
1920 Oct. 1-1929 April 10
21 items;
concerning a proposal that evening papers be allowed to use certain releases of Associated Press intended for Sunday morning;
includes a "Statement for the Committee" studying the question
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Ba" through "Bi"
1919 Dec. 30-1949 Jan. 1
38 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Bl" through "Bo"
1924 Sept. 8-1945 May 8
32 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Br"
1919 Dec. 8-1946 Sept. 30
34 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Bu" through "By"
1931 Aug. 21-1949 Oct. 19
34 items
Box 1
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Stringfellow Barr of U.Va., University of Chicago, and St. John's College
1925 Oct. 16-1930 Dec. 4
53 items;
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Stringfellow Barr
1931 Jan. 3-1948 March 22
89 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with James S. Barron and family
1929 Jan. 23-1941 Nov. 18, n.d.
8 items
Box 2
Correspondence to Louis I. Jaffé from Bernard M. Baruch
1933 July 6-1946 March 31
5 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with John S. Battle, Senator, Charlottesville, Va.
1949 Aug. 4 & 18
2 items
Box 2
D.W. Bell, Under Secretary of the Treasury to Louis I. Jaffé
1945 May 16
TLS
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Mrs. Herbet (Janet Weil) Bluetenthal
1919 Dec. 6-1950 Jan. 12
6 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with the Rev. W. Russell Bowie, Grace Episcopal Church, N.Y.C.
1925 May 14-1930 April 12
6 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Michael Bradshaw of
The Danville Register
and later the
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
1937 Jan. 2-1944 Aug. 6
4 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Dr. Philip Alexander Bruce and his daughter, Philippa Bruce
1923 June 16-1930 Feb. 4
9 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Mrs. Philip Alexander Bruce (Betty Taylor)
1923 Oct. 16-1936 Nov. 18
8 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with John Stewart Bryan of the Richmond
News-Leader
and President of W and M
1919 Jan. 1-1941 Dec. 31
39 items
Box 2
Stewart Bryan, Jr., to Louis I. Jaffé
1936 March 2 & 14
2 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Harry Flood Byrd
1924 March 24-1930 Jan. 5
61 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Harry Flood Byrd
1930 May 2-1947 Sept. 30
55 items
Box 2
Richard Evelyn Byrd, Attorney, to Louis I. Jaffé
1922 March 20 & 1925 June 8
2 items
Box 2
Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd to Louis I. Jaffé
1931 March 23 & 30
2 items
Box 2
James F. Byrnes to Louis I. Jaffé
1945 May 25
TLS
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Ca" through "Co"
1919-1947
ca. 81 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people whose last names begin with "Cr" through "Ch"
1919-1948
ca. 21 items
Box 2
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Charles J. Calrow, architect
1921-1924
7 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Governor Wm. E. Cameron, Editor of
Virginian-Pilot
before Jaffé
1919-1921, n.d.
12 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Bishop James Cannon, Jr. re: Unification
1925
2 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Major Hundson Cary, Attorney
1923-1933
6 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Wm. B. Causey, Norfolk City Manager
1924-1926
7 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Lenoir Chambers, editor
Ledger-Dispatch, Virginian-Pilot
1929-1932
15 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Dr. J.A.C. Chandler, President of William and Mary College
1920-1933
15 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with R.G. Cherry, Governor of N.C.
1931-1948
4 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with the
Chicago-Tribune
Syndicate
1924, 1949
6 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Marquis Childs, columnist
1944-1949
7 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with W.T. Chrisitan, editor
1943
3 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Emily Clark (Balch), editor
1922-1926
7 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Judge H.G. Cochran of Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
1926-1948
14 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with O.J. Coffin
1926
6 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with W.S. Copeland, editor
1922, 1927
4 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with John D. Corbell, City Clerk of Norfolk
1941-1947
8 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé re: Council of Higher Education
1941
10 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Rev. H.H. Covington, St. Paul's Church, Norfolk
1925-1926, n.d.
5 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with W.A. Cox, Chamber of Commerce, Norfolk
1920-1921
16 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with James Cruikshank, editor, The Post Publishing Co., Wilmington, N.C.
1923-1924, n.d.
5 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people who last name begin with "Da" through "De"
1920-1949
23 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with various people who last name begin with "Di" through "Dw"
1921-1949
36 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Jonathan Daniels of
The News and Observer,
Raleigh
1948-1949
6 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Virginius Dabney of the
News Leader
and
Times-Dispatch,
Richmond
1927-1949
ca. 76 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Colgate Darden
1933-1949
14 items;
includes a note from Mrs. Colgate (Connie) Darden
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Arthur Kyle Davis
1920-1931
9 items;
re: Virginia War History Commission
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Hugh C. Davis, lawyer (father-in-law, first marriage)
1920-1931
9 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Hugh W. Davis, lawyer (brother-in-law, first marriage)
1920-1945
17 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Julia Johnson Davis, writer
1930-1940
5 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Lambert Davis,
Virginia Quarterly Review
1929-1936
9 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Margaret Davis (Jaffé's first wife)
1920
20 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Virginia Waller Davis, State Departmental News Service
1946-1949
5 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with F. Trube Davison, Chairman, National Crime Commission
1925-1926
3 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with J.T. Deal, House of Representatives
1921-1926
9 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé re: W.L. Devany, Jr. Attorney
1921-1926
2 items
Box 3
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Alonzo T. Dill, journalist
1939-1949
32 items
Box 4
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, journalist
1928-1932, n.d.
5 items
Box 4
Correpondence of Louis I. Jaffé with W. Carey Dowd, Jr., editor
1932-1949
10 items
Box 4
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé with Alpheus W. Drinkwater
1945
3 items;
re: the Wright Brothers' flight
Box 4
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé re: Duke University (Trinity), Class of 1911, 30th Reunion
1941
25 items
Box 4
Correspondence of Louis I. Jaffé re: Duke University Loyalty Fund
1947-1948
ca. 46 items
Box 4
Jaames Barron Hope to John Emmerson, Esq.
1865 Nov. 3
ALS
Box 4
Correspondencce of J.J. Lankes with Louis I. Jaffé, with enclosures of woodcuts
1931 June 13-1932 April 10
4 items
Box 4
Christmas cards from J.J. Lankes to L.I. Jaffé with woodcuts
1934-1950, n.d.
8 items
Box 4
Gertrude Stein to Mr. M.A. Agelasto and two typed copies; newspaper clipping re Mr. Agelasto
1934 [Nov. 11] and 1974 April 29
ALS, 4 items
Box 4
Article on J.J. Lankes by [Louis Jaffé] with corrections and a note from Robert Frost
1941 Nov. 29
TMs (copy), 12 l.
Box 4
Bookplates by J.J. Lankes for various people
1930-1942 and n.d.
12 items
Box 4
Newspaper clippings re: William Faulkner
1962 July 7-15, n.d.
6 items
Box 4
Phi Beta Kappa Certificate of Louis Jaffé; Omicron Delta Kappa Certificate of Louis Jaffé
1922 March 29 and 1927 May 20
2 DS
Box 4
Printed Material, Song books of the A.E.F., including two with illustrations
1918-1919
4 items
Box 4
Miscellaneous printed material re: various subjects
1930, 1936, n.d.
4 items
Box 4
The
Richmond Compiler,
vol. 18, no. 27
1818 June 20
1 item
Box 4
The Book Dial
, VI, no. 4
1929
1 item;
contains articles and woodcuts by J.J. Lankes
Box 4
Woodcut, "Myers House (1791), Norfolk, Virginia," by W. Bailey
1933 Dec.
1 item
Box 4
Photographs relating to the American Red Cross Commission to the Balkans
1918, 1919, n.d.
150 items;
including photos taken in Serbia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Dalmatia, Albania, Greece, and Bosnia
Box 4
Photographs of Louis I. Jaffé in uniform, of Jaffé, an of a drawing of Jaffé
[1919], 1948, n.d.
3 items
Box 4
Photograph of a sketch of Sisley Huddleston; photogaph of Frances Newman and H.L. Mencken
n.d.
2 items
Box 4
Unidentified photograph
n.d.
1 item
Box 4
Photogrphs of Berlin
[ca. 1919]
34 items
Box 4
Photographs of unidentified city
n.d.
9 items;
possibly a Balkan city, ca. 1918 or 1919
B.A. degree of Louis I. Jaffé from Trinity College, N.C.
1911 June 7
Physical Location: Oversize
DS
Commission of Louis I. Jaffé as Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery Section, Officers' Reserve Corps of the Army of the
United States
1917 Nov. 8
Physical Location: Oversize
DS
Commission of Louis Jaffé as Second Lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Officers Reserve Corps of the Army of
the United States
1918 Feb. 2
Physical Location: Oversize
DS
Commission of Louis I. Jaffé as Inspector in the American National Red Cross with assimilated rank of Captain in the Army
of the United States
1919 May 31
Physical Location: Oversize
DS
Pulitzer Prize Certificate in Journalism
1929 June 5