Item C26 - Typescript letter signed from Peggy S. Humphrey to Benians

H interested in proposed American Library series. Recent British publications covered American history, politics and government pretty thoroughly. Following subjects remain to be dealt with: American art - reproductions of American art, brief chapters on outstanding artists e.g. Grant Wood - Museum of Modern Art New York could advise on this; American culture - general survey of development of literature, music, art, philosophy, education; American literature - readable critical survey of, as guide for general public, Carl Van Doren or Henry Seidel Canby could do this; American economic problems - labor, social services, New Deal, attitude towards Communism, C.J. Hitch do this?; American education - this country knows too little about this; American people - national and regional characteristics and how they developed, chapters on Indians, Negroes, Jews, foreign immigrants; American engineering achievements - dams, bridges, highways, irrigation, water power; 1 volume biographies of great Americans - Lincoln, Lee, Washington, Andrew Jackson, Woodrow Wilson. H found The heritage of America, eds. Commager and Nevins, and American life and literature, ed. J.B. Hubbell, invaluable. H easily give B list of 50-100 American books for secondary school libraries which should be published over here. H encloses list of questions she been asked as guide to subjects for American Library series, and booklists, compiled to guide US members of Books Across the Sea in selection of books for reference collection at Scottish-American House Edinburgh, which may be of interest to C.U.L. Many titles on list found in A select bibliography of the history of the U.S.A. compiled by Allan Nevins (Historical Association Pamphlets, No. 121) and Interpreting the United States, American Library Association (London, 1944). Latter admirable, as is scheme for British libraries to import books listed in it - hopes C.U.L. take advantage of this. Many of books ought to reprinted in this country.

Enclosed:

Typescript notes by Peggy S. Humphrey headed 'What Great Britain wants to know about America', dated 20 December 1942. During last 15 months H given many talks on American affairs to various groups throughout Scotland. H lists questions she been asked/subjects in which she met with most interest under headings of: attitudes and opinions; politics and government; economics and labor; American achievements in industry, engineering, roads and railroads, science and invention; America at war; everyday life in America; education; foreign races and nationalities - minorities; regions. At top of page 1, in H's hand - For Dr. Benians. These may suggest topics to be included in the C.U.P. "American Library".