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Edward L. Bernays papers

 Collection
Identifier: M099

Overview

Edward L. Bernays, "Father of Public Relations" was born in Vienna in 1891. He studied at Cornell and became a member of the United States Committee on Public Information in 1918. In 1919, Bernays opened a public relations firm, and in 1923 wrote the seminal book on public relations: Crystallizing Public Opinion (New York: Boni and Liveright, 1923) [call number HM261 .B4]. On June 17, 1989, Bernays received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Northeastern University and gave the commencement speech. He died in 1995.

Dates

  • 1982-1998 (bulk 1993-1995)

Creator

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.

Chronology

  • 1891 Nov 22 ELB born in Vienna
  • 1892 ELB moves to the United States with parents
  • 1912 Bachelor's degree from Cornell University
  • 1913 Produced Damaged Goods, the first public play in American history about venereal disease
  • 1919 Opened his public relations business
  • 1922 Married Doris E. Fleischman
  • 1923 Taught the first college course on public relations at NYU
  • 1923 Wrote Crystallizing Public Opinion
  • 1946 Founded Edward L. Bernays Foundation to serve public causes
  • 1962 Retired and moved to Cambridge, Mass.
  • 1960s Designed/implemented a plan to save the sycamore trees along Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Mass.
  • 1980 Death of wife Doris
  • 1989 Received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from NU
  • 1990 Life editors designate ELB one of 100 most important Americans of 20th century
  • 1991 Northeastern University honors ELB on his 100th birthday
  • 1992 ELB involved in Massachusetts Senate Bill #374 to require licensing of public relations personnel
  • 1995 PBS series recognizes ELB as one of eight Americans who most influenced 20th century
  • 1995 Mar 9 ELB dies in Cambridge, Mass.
1891 Nov 22
ELB born in Vienna
1892
ELB moves to the United States with parents
1912
Bachelor's degree from Cornell University
1913
Produced Damaged Goods, the first public play in American history about venereal disease
1919
Opened his public relations business
1922
Married Doris E. Fleischman
1923
Taught the first college course on public relations at NYU
1923
Wrote Crystallizing Public Opinion
1946
Founded Edward L. Bernays Foundation to serve public causes
1962
Retired and moved to Cambridge, Mass.
1960s
Designed/implemented a plan to save the sycamore trees along Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Mass.
1980
Death of wife Doris
1989
Received an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from NU
1990
Life editors designate ELB one of 100 most important Americans of 20th century
1991
Northeastern University honors ELB on his 100th birthday
1992
ELB involved in Massachusetts Senate Bill #374 to require licensing of public relations personnel
1995
PBS series recognizes ELB as one of eight Americans who most influenced 20th century
1995 Mar 9
ELB dies in Cambridge, Mass.

Extent

.35 cubic feet (1 container)

Language

English

System of Arrangement:

Arranged in one alphabetical sequence.

Physical Location

65/4
Title
Finding aid for the Edward L. Bernays Papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Lisa Luna
Date
April 2004
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Snell Library
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US