Brombart (David) papers, 1917-2009

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Summary

Title:
David Brombart papers
Dates:
1917-2009
Creators:
Brombart, David, 1933-
Abstract:
Correspondence, reports, memoranda, conference materials, printed matter, photographs, and memorabilia, relating to the African-American Labor Center, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, and American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations participation in the international labor movement.
Extent:
24 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize boxes (12.8 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

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

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of the Belgian-American labor official David Brombart primarily concern the involvement of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in the international labor movement, its opposition to the Communist-affiliated World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), and its cooperation with United States government agencies in fostering democratic trade unionism in Africa and elsewhere. Before joining the AFL-CIO, Brombart worked in the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), an international organization established in opposition to Communist front youth organizations, and funded in part by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. From its establishment in 1964 until his retirement in 1997, he was actively involved in the AFL-CIO's African-American Labor Center (AALC). He also represented the American labor movement in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU).

The collection is arranged in twelve series. The first three, Personal Documents, Correspondence, and Speeches and Writings, consist of papers of David Brombart spanning the course of his career. The next five series document his work in specific capacities. They include the World Assembly of Youth File, International Labour Organization File, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions File, AFL-CIO File, and African-American Labor Center File. The AFL-CIO File covers activities of branches of that organization other than the African-American Labor Center. A Subject File is arranged topically and includes some material that might have been placed elsewhere (especially in the African-American Labor Center File), but that is narrowly focused on specific subjects. The Subject File also contains material on Islamic countries and other topics with which Brombart was concerned during later years as a fellow at the Institute of International Studies. The final three series, Audiovisual File, Memorabilia, and Oversize File consist of material that is distinctive because of physical format. The Audiovisual File includes a large number of photographs documenting activities of the organizations in which Brombart was involved.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1933
Born, St. Gilles-les-Bruxelles, Belgium
1954-1958
Youth secretary, Parti Socialiste Belge
1958-1964
Labor secretary, World Assembly of Youth, Paris and Brussels
1964-1979
Assistant to the executive director, AFL-CIO African-American Labor Center, New York
1975-1977
Member, United States delegation to the International Labour Organisation
1979-1983
AFL-CIO deputy director for international cooperation, London
1983-1986
Senior staff member, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, Brussels
1986-1997
Deputy and acting executive director, AFL-CIO African-American Labor Center, Washington, D.C.
1997-2005
Senior fellow, Institute of International Studies, Washington, D.C.
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2009.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-11-01 15:52:47.862545

Access and use

Restrictions:

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], David Brombart 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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