Russell Des Cognets papers

Abstract

The Russell Des Cognets papers (dated 1918-1957, undated; 0.35 cubic feet; 3 boxes) include the correspondence, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings Russell Des Cognets collected relating to his service in France during World War I and as a political activist during prohibition and the Great Depression.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Russell Des Cognets papers
Date
1918-1957, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Des Cognets, Russell
Extent
1.35 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Prohibition -- United States.
World War, 1914-1918 -- France.
Political letter writing Kentucky -- Lexington.
New Deal, 1933-1939.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by format.
Finding Aid Author
Ida Sell
Preferred Citation
57m2 : [identification of item], Russell Des Cognets papers, 1918-1957, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Russell Des Cognets was a serviceman for the United States in World War I. As a veteran of WWI he joined the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA) and was very involved with the Lexington, Kentucky chapter until the repeal of the 18th amendment. His brother, Louis Des Cognets, was also active in the organization. During Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidential campaign, Russell Des Cognets worked with the bipartisan Stock Exchange Reform Committee. He continued work for financial regulation with the Sound Money organization in the early 1930s. He also was active with the Liberty League. He corresponded frequently with congressmen about political issues and attracting Federal Worker's Relief Projects to Kentucky. His brother was the principle stockholder of the Tuttle Coal Company which mined throughout Kentucky.
Scope and Content
The Russell Des Cognets papers (dated 1918-1957, undated; 0.35 cubic feet; 3 boxes) include the correspondence, pamphlets, and newspaper clippings Russell Des Cognets collected relating to his service in France during World War I and as a political activist during prohibition and the Great Depression. Russell Des Cognets' correspondence reflects his work for the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA). The AAPA correspondence included in the collection primarily focuses on finding new members, financial support, and petitioning US government officials. Some speech script and many newspaper clippings from AAPA events are included. Additionally, the collection contains Russell Des Cognets correspondence pertaining to the Stock Exchange Reform Committee, which was active during the Presidential campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Also included is Des Cognets correspondence for the Sound Money and Liberty League organizations during the New Deal era. Most of the correspondence is between Des Cognets and Congressman, John Y. Brown, Sr. of Kentucky. The correspondence concerns attracting Federal Work Relief projects to central Kentucky. Two photos of the Louis Des Cognets coal foundry are included. The collection includes newspapers from France during and shortly after the First World War. The newspapers are directed at American soldiers and veterans. Finally the collection includes the Russell Des Cognets political newspaper scrapbook. The scrapbook includes articles from the 1920s until the 1950s.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

General, 1918-1957, undated

Scope and Contents

The General series contains pamphlets concerning the repeal of the 18th Amendment, the American Liberty League, the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment. The series also contains business records, photographs, and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings.

18th Amendment Repeal pamphlets, 1929-1933

  • Box 1, folder 6
To top

18th Amendment Repeal pamphlets, satirical cartoons, 1929-1933

  • Box 2, folder 1
To top

American Liberty League pamphlets, 1934-1935

  • Box 2, folder 5
To top

Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA) bibliography, 1931-1933

  • Box 2, folder 3
To top

Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA), Kentucky region, membership lists, undated

  • Box 2, folder 2
To top

"Bulletin," Veterans of the First Great War newspaper, 1921 January-1922 September

  • Box 3, folder 2
To top

Business records, 1934-1935

  • Box 2, folder 8
To top

Convention for Repeal press releases and speech script, 1932-1935

  • Box 1, folder 5
To top

"The Inviolable Pledge" and "L'Amerique" French pamphlets, World War I, 1918 March-April

  • Box 3, folder 1
To top

Photographs (2), Louis des Cognets, Coal Foundry, undated

  • Box 2, folder 9
To top

Scrapbook, political newspaper clippings, 1929-1957

  • Box 3, folder 7
To top

The Stars and Stripes France, 1918 July-1919 May

  • Box 3, folder 3-6
To top

Correspondence, 1929-1935

Scope and Contents

The correspondence series contains letters discussing the repeal of the repeal of the 18th Amendment and the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment. Other correspondence documents the Liberty League's role in the New Deal and the Stock Exchange Reform Committee.

18th Amendment Repeal, World War I veterans, 1929 May-1932 February

  • Box 1, folder 1
To top

Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA), 1932 March-May

  • Box 1, folder 2
To top

Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA), 1932 June-December

  • Box 1, folder 3
To top

Association Against the Prohibition Amendment (AAPA), 1933-1935

  • Box 1, folder 4
To top

Liberty League, New Deal, 1935 January-August

  • Box 2, folder 7
To top

Liberty League-Sound Money League-New Deal, 1933 March-1934 October

  • Box 2, folder 6
To top

Stock Exchange Reform Committee, 1932 September-1933 January

  • Box 2, folder 4
To top

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

Requests

No items have been requested.



You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.