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George Lancelot Quilici papers

 Collection
Identifier: IHRC2213

Abstract

Papers (1934-1969) of George Lancelot Quilici (1897-1969) consist of briefs and newspaper clippings on Cook County (Chicago) election fraud cases, materials pertaining to his election campaigns, controversial cases, anti-fascist activities, work on civil rights, publications, and miscellany, including travel material and biographical information. Included are materials, news releases and newspaper clippings concerning the National Lawyers Guild, publications by and about the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, correspondence, lists of charges and clippings relating to the Southard-V.F.W. Affair, correspondence and documents relating to the Chicago Bar Association-Judicial Poll, correspondence, programs, and speeches, related to Italian-American Victory Council, Chicago Italian American Day, and Italian Relief. Other correspondence–including 2 letters from V.P. Hubert H Humphrey—speeches, and clippings pertain to Quilici's anti-fascist radio work and to the Balbo Affair. Both papers and scrapbooks contain information of a similar nature, the papers emphasize his public and political career, while the scrapbooks cover social activity, travel and memorbilia.

Dates

  • 1896-1969

Creator

Language of Materials

Mainly in English; some Italian

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

For further information regarding the copyright, please contact the IHRCA.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

George Lancelot Quilici (24 July 1897-7 May 1969), a lawyer, judge, and author, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended public schools there, served in the United States Army Signal Corps in Europe during WWI (1918-1919), then obtained his law degree from DePaul University and began practice in the Chicago area. In 1935, he was appointed special prosecutor of election fraud cases and served in that capacity until 1938. In 1940, he was elected as a municipal court judge, was reelected until 1962, when he was elected to the Superior Court. He also made an unsuccessful bid for appointment to the federal bench in 1943. He was an early supporter of the National Lawyers Guild, civil rights for minorities, and antifascism. While serving on the bench, Quilici was involved in several controversial cases which earned him local notoriety and led to charges of political bias. adn lack of judicial temperament. Quilici was an early partisan of the National Lawyers Guild, civial rights for racial minorities, and became a leading spokesman of the anti-Fascist forces among Italian Americans prior to 1941. During WWII, he helped organize and lead the Italian American Victory Council to mobilize support for the war effort among Chicago Italians. He also participated in government sponsored radio broadcasts to Italy and supported the movement to erase the fascist General Italo Balbo's name from Chicago streets and parks. After his elevation to the Superior Court bench in 1962, Quilici devoted more time to personal pursuits such as travel and the publication of his pamphlet, "Italian-American Lawyers of Chicago." Quilici was survived by his wife, Virginia Iralson Quilici, whom he married in 1935.

Extent

16 linear feet

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired from Virginia L. Quilici of Chicago, Illinois in September, 1969.

Processing Information

The collection was processed and inventory prepared by Thomas T. Allsen in December, 1971.

Title
Inventory of the George Lancelot Quilici papers.
Author
IHRC Archives
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding Aid in English

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Immigration History Research Center Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-625-4800