Archives and Special Collections Department, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon © 2021 Genevieve Maxwell Collection, 1950-2000 A Finding Aid to the Collection in the University Libraries, AUB Prepared by Iman Abdallah Abu Nader & Mervat Kobeissi Contact information: [email protected] Webpage: www.aub.edu.lb/Libraries/asc Descriptive Summary Call No.: AA: 6.2.13.2 Library Catalog ID: b1445899 Record Creator: Maxwell, Genevieve, 1906-2004. Collection Title: Genevieve Maxwell Collection, 1950-2000. Collection Dates: 1950-2000. Physical Description: 1000 photos. Physical Description: 3 linear feet, 9 archival boxes. Abstract: This is a collection of photos, letters, articles, invitation cards, advertisements, and catalogs that belonged to journalist and social scene columnist Genevieve Maxwell, as she undertook the many assignments, she did, and as she lived her busy social life in Beirut mostly during it heydays. She collected more than 1000 photographs that tell about Lebanon between the 1950s and 1980s after the outbreak of the civil war. The archival materials from the 1950s to 2000 are also resourceful. The collection conveys the social, political, diplomatic life in Lebanon and a few neighboring countries, mainly before the civil war that started in 1975. The various items of the collection are of interest to researchers looking to unravel the life of an adamant and active woman journalist in the Middle East towards the middle of the 20th century. They are also a key to learn about a phase in the history of Lebanon when the country was thriving at all levels (social, economic, political, etc.); when Lebanon was called the Switzerland of the East. Language(s): English and Arabic. Administrative Information Source: Charles Maxwell, Genevieve Maxwell’s son, donated the collection to the AUB Libraries in October 2008. Access Restrictions: The collection can be consulted within the premises of the Archives and Special Collections Department, Jafet Library, American University of Beirut. Photocopying Restriction: No photocopying restriction except for fragile material. Preferred Citation: Genevieve Maxwell Collection. 1950-2000, AA: 6.2.13.2, Series no., Box no., File no., American University of Beirut/Library Archives. Scope and Content The Genevieve Maxwell Collection includes photos as well as archival material that provide an overview of her career as a journalist; namely, as a social scene columnist at the English newspaper the Daily Star1, Lebanon, her involvement with AUB as editor of several publications, as well as her social activities and engagements until she left Lebanon in 1986. The collection includes around 882 photographs, mostly in black and white, related to embassies, companies, charity organizations, sports events, festivals and other functions. Among them 33 photos of Baalbek International Festival, namely of the American Ballet Theater, The Old Vic performance, Rosalind Elias, mezzo-soprano, Charles Munch, as well as symphonic conductors, violinists, and others. Furthermore, the collection includes photos about the United States intervention during the 1958 conflict in Lebanon, the American Soldiers Task 1 The Daily Star is a “ … pan–Middle East newspaper in English that is edited in Beirut, Lebanon but deals with the whole Middle East.” (see https://g.co/kgs/uoAns2) 2 Force 201 and the United States Sixth Fleet, as well as the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) and the UNRWA2. The collection holds personal photos of Genevieve Maxwell among them some portraits and photos with American Women’s club of Lebanon, etc... Photographers featured in the collection are Manoug, Sayak, Naltchayan, Studio Royal, Issa Bros., Dalati & Nohra, A. Zardini, Gabris, Stavro, Studio Empire, Genevieve Maxwell, Harry Kandakjian, Roland Sidawi, US Army Photo, Associated Press (AP) Hanna Safieh, Abdel Resaq Mehta & Son, Foto IFA Hikmat, etc. The archival collection includes a variety of material such as biographical information, personal correspondence, press clippings, articles, brochures, announcements, programs, and various publications that are equally valuable as they too document her career and life in Lebanon from the 1950s until the middle of the 1980s. The collection is important for scholars and researchers who are interested in Americans’ role in educational, cultural, military and athletic life in Lebanon. Biographical Sketch Born on November 4, 1906 in Gull Island in Long Island, New York, Genevieve Maxwell graduated in 1928 from Washington University with a Bachelor degree in Arts. After college, she taught at the German Friends School in Philadelphia and the Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; she also traveled around the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and Southern America, and Europe. Shortly after she started her graduate studies in journalism at the University of Michigan, in 1953, Maxwell came to Beirut. Her journey began at the American University of Beirut (AUB) auditing a few courses, but it was not long before she started working for the Daily Star as a social scene columnist a job she held for 10 years. She impressed the editor-in-chief and founder of the newspaper, Kamel Mrowa, who gave her assignments abroad. On November 14, 1953, she went to Jordan to interview King Hussein bin Talal on his 18th birthday. In 1954, she was chosen as the country's press delegate; she represented 46 Lebanese newspapers at the winter Olympic Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy. From 1957 until 1959, she was the press officer of AUB and worked as a special assistant at the Office of Development and Public Relations at the International College (Beirut). Maxwell left Daily Star in 1964. However, her journey in Lebanon extended until 1986, when she had to leave the country, reluctantly. During her long stay in Lebanon, Maxwell was an avid skier on the slopes of Lebanon, especially in the early years of her residency. She was also present at noteworthy cultural events such as the Baalbek International Festival, and authored several guidebooks on the Middle East. She was also member of the Society of the Friends of the Museum, the American Repertory Theater of Beirut, and the Foreign International Group of Beirut. After a long and vibrant life, Maxwell passed away on July 4, 2004. Arrangement The collection is arranged in two series: Series I: Photo Collection, 1950-2000 (inclusive), 1953-1959 (bulk), (882 photos) Subseries I: Maxwell Personal Photos, 1956-1959 (bulk) Envelope I.1 Portraits, 1948, 1957 Envelope I.2 Miscellaneous, 1956, 1958 Subseries II: Maxwell Professional Photos, 1955-1959 (bulk) 2 UNRWA refers to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency 3 Subseries III: Maxwell Acquaintances: Politicians, Ambassadors and Prominent Figures, 1955-1959 Envelope III.1 Politicians, 1955-1959 (bulk) Envelope III.2 Prominent Lebanese and Foreign Figures, 1957 (bulk) Envelope III.3 Ambassadors and foreign officials, 1955-1959 Subseries IV. Lebanon: Architecture, Athletics, Culture, Politics and Military, etc. Envelope IV.1 Architecture 1- Beirut: Ayn al-Mraysah and downtown, 1956-1959 2- Cities and Towns in Lebanon, 1956, 1969, 1970 and undated 3- Hotels and Buildings in Beirut, 1957 Envelope IV.2 Athletics 1- Lebanon Ski Teams, Tournaments, Competitions, Ski School and others sports, 1935- 1957 2- Other sports Envelope IV.3 American University of Beirut, 1956-1959 (bulk) 1- Maxwell at AUB, etc., 1957-1959, 1963 2- Miscellaneous AUB photos, 1956-1959 (bulk) Envelope IV.4 Culture 1- Baalbek Festival, 1957 and 1959 (bulk) Envelope IV.5 Politics and Military 1- Lebanon Crisis 1957-1958 2- Civil war in Beirut, 1976 and 1978 3- American Soldiers Task Force 201 and American Land Forces, Lebanon Envelope IV.6 Miscellaneous Lebanon, 1950s, 1953, 1955-1957, 1959, 1963, 1985, 2000 and undated Subseries V. United Nations Agencies, 1958-1969 Envelope V.1 The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 1968, 1969 1- Projects and training, Jordan 2- Camps in Gaza, Lebanon and Jordan Envelope V.2 The United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Sinai and Gaza, 1956-1959 Subseries VI. Miscellaneous Photos from around the World, 1957, 1959, 2000 and undated Envelope VI.1 Cyprus Envelope VI.2 Egypt Envelope VI.3 Jordan Envelope VI.4 Iran Envelope VI.5 Iraq Envelope VI.6 Pakistan Envelope VI.7 Turkey Envelope VI.8 United States of America Series II: Archival Collection (1950s-2000) Subseries I: Biographical information; personal correspondence, 1953-1998 and articles by her about The Society of the friends of the Museum. 4 Subseries II: Associations and Groups: Foreign International Group, Women's Auxiliary, Association of the American University of Beirut Cooking Group, The Icon Gallery, The Young Women's Christian Association, American Repertory Theater, American Women's Club of Lebanon, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s. Subseries III: Alumni Association of North America, American University of Beirut and AUB Publications Subseries IV: AUB Presidents: Malcolm Kerr and David Dodge, 1978-1984 Subseries V: Academic Institutions and Cultural Organizations: BWC, HU, AUB, AUC, USJ, USEK, ALBA, JF Kennedy Center etc… Subseries VI: Miscellaneous Publications Subject Headings Maxwell, Genevieve. Women journalists -- Lebanon. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. United Nations -- Peacekeeping forces -- Lebanon. Lebanon -- History -- Intervention, 1958. Women volunteers in social service. Refugees -- Palestinians. Skis and skiing -- Lebanon. Universities