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

Patchell, Herbert (Person)

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.