Javier Benedet papers, 1900-1977

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Summary

Creators:
Benedet, Javier, 1904-1990 and Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola
Abstract:
The Javier Benedet papers contain significant materials relating to the Spanish Civil War and to fundraising efforts in Northern California on behalf of the Republican side in that conflict. The papers also provide documentation on the plight of Republican refugees in the aftermath of the Civil War and on the political life of the Spanish anti-fascist diaspora in France, Mexico, and other countries.
Extent:
22 manuscript boxes, 10 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder (14.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
The collection is in Spanish with some materials in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Javier Benedet papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Javier Benedet papers contain significant materials relating to the Spanish Civil War and to fundraising efforts in Northern California on behalf of the Republican side in that conflict. The papers also provide documentation on the plight of Republican refugees in the aftermath of the Civil War and on the political life of the Spanish anti-fascist diaspora in France, Mexico, and other countries. In terms of volume, the Benedet papers presently constitute the second largest collection (after the Burnett Bolloten papers) in the archives pertaining to the Spanish Civil War.

In the 1930s, Benedet was a founding member of Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola, a political organization based in San Francisco and comprised largely of Spanish expatriates and immigrants. During the civil war that engulfed Spain in 1936-1939, the organization campaigned on behalf of the Spanish Republic and against the rightwing forces headed by Francisco Franco. By means of public appeals, festivals, and concerts, Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola raised money that was sent to Republican Spain in aid of children affected by the war and, when the conflict was over, on behalf of Spanish refugees in France and elsewhere. Affiliated with the Sociedades Hispanas Aliadas, Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola participated in the political life of the Spanish emigration in North America, maintaining a general anti-fascist orientation amidst the often bitter divisions among Spanish Republican factions. Its fundraising activities continued into the 1970s.

As secretary of Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola in San Francisco, Benedet played a key role both within the organization and as its public representative within the Hispanic community of Northern California. The organizational records series includes correspondence, minutes of meetings, and publicity materials used in the fundraising efforts of Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola. There are a small number of writings by Benedet in the speeches and writings series. In addition to a number of monographs and pamphlets relating to Spanish politics, the large printed matter series contains copies of the many journals and newspapers received by Benedet before, during, and after the Spanish Civil War. These materials reflect a wide spectrum of political thought on the Republican side and include anarchist, socialist, communist, and independent publications. Also included in this series are numerous issues of Espa帽a libre, the newspaper of the Sociedades Hispanas Confederadas in the United States and a major forum for Spanish Republican opinion after the end of the civil war.

The collection also contains a number of posters relating to the Spanish Civil War and to various fiestas in Northern California organized by Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola. There is also an original artwork by a child depicting a scene of aerial combat during the civil war.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1904
Born, Siete Iglesias, Valladolid, Spain
1910-1925
Lives in Mexico and is apprenticed as a bullfighter
1925-1969
Works as a waiter in San Francisco, California
1930s-1970s
Secretary, Acci贸n Dem贸crata Espa帽ola. Active in fundraising on behalf of the Spanish Republic
1969-1985
Works as a bartender in Mill Valley, California
1990
Died
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2012.
Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 6 series: Organizational records; Speeches and writings; Photographs; Printed matter; Oversize materials; Oversize folder.

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes FH13 and FH15 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Javier Benedet papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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