<--PREV Doc #1719  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1721 Document #1720; December 1, 1960 To Edward Harold Litchfield Series: EM, AWF, DDE Diaries Series ; Category: Personal and confidential The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XXI - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace Part X: Ending an Era; August 1960 to January 1961 Chapter 25: Farewells and Warnings   Dear Dr. Litchfield: After discussing with you a possible future connection between me and the University of Pittsburgh, I began to search both my memory and my records to determine what commitments, definite or conditional, I had already made for the years ahead.1 I am speaking only of those that touch upon educational institutions. First of all, I have been, since 1952, a Trustee Emeritus of Columbia University.2 This circumstance would not of itself create any interference with plans involving another university, but it happens that there are now operative at Columbia a special activity in the founding of which I had a personal part, and in which I am deeply interested. So I shall, I am sure, want to take occasional advantage of the fact that I am privileged to attend the Trustees’ meetings of Columbia University, even though I shall not have any other function at the University.3 Another circumstance that has some bearing on this problem is that some years ago I agreed with the President of Gettysburg College that should I take up a permanent residence in that area, I would accept his invitation to establish my office in one of the college buildings. As you can see, my acceptance of their invitation automatically creates for me a definite interest in that institution.4 More important than these two is, however, an understanding that has long existed between my brother and me--I refer to the brother who is President of Johns Hopkins University. That understanding was if ever I should be freed of all official duties and the Trustees of Johns Hopkins would feel an inclination to invite me to become one of their members, I would be glad to accept. Should that desire be expressed I would obviously not only feel obligated to accept, but frankly I would want to do so because it would be a great privilege for me to serve in some capacity under my brother’s chairmanship, he having so long and selflessly supported me, often in a very active role, in the problems facing me during the eight years just past.5 Then, of course, beyond the circumstances I have just described is the further fact that I have intentions of devoting most of my time to the study of and writing about governmental and international matters that I conceive can be of great interest to our nation.6 I give you these details so as to make certain of your understanding that I do not lightly decline the privilege you extend to me of serving as one of your Trustees at Pittsburgh. The prospect you outlined had many appealing features and I am complimented that you should have considered me in such a connection. I am sending this letter for your eyes only, so as to eliminate any chance I might appear unappreciative of your courtesy, or disregardful of the fact that your suggestion to me was made on an informal and exploratory basis. Sincerely 1 Eisenhower had met with University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Litchfield at the White House on August 16. 2 On Eisenhower’s acceptance of his election as president and trustee emeritus of Columbia University see Galambos, NATO and the Campaign of 1952, no. 1005. 3 Among the organizations the President had established at Columbia were the American Assembly (see no. 172), the Institute of War and Peace Studies (see no. 995), and the New York School of Social Work (see no. 381). 4 On the Gettysburg College offices see nos. 544, 1242, and 1437. 5 On January 9 the President would accept an offer to become a trustee of the Johns Hopkins University. He would attend an all-day meeting, his first, on May 16 (New York Times, May 10, 16, 1961). On his appreciation for the support of his brother Milton see, for example, nos. 1399 and 1692. 6 For background on Eisenhower’s decision to publish his memoirs see nos. 1643 and 1650. Bibliographic reference to this document: Eisenhower, Dwight D. Personal and confidential To Edward Harold Litchfield, 1 December 1960. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1720. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/second-term/documents/1720.cfm <--PREV Doc #1719  |  Memorial Commission Home Page  |  Second Term Table of Contents  |  Presidential Papers Home Page  |  Doc#  |  NEXT--> Doc #1721

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission 1629 K Street, NW Suite 801 Washington DC 20006 Phone: 202.296.0004    Fax: 202.296.6464