The Morris Childs Papers

The J. Edgar Hoover Foundation was the repository for the original Morris Childs Papers. Mr. Childs was a senior member of the American Communist Party for three decades until his expulsion in the late 1940s. He volunteered to assist the FBI in the early 1950s against the party, eventually becoming the U.S. government’s most important source against the Soviet Union’s highest leadership. His fascinating story was depicted a few years ago by John Barron in the book “Solo.” It is a remarkable tale of courage, integrity and patriotism by a simple man repeatedly facing great danger - all in service of his country.

Mr. Childs had great respect for Mr. Hoover and what he had accomplished in life. Following the death of Eva Childs, the widow of Morris, his papers were entrusted to the Center for safekeeping and for use by scholars interested in learning more about the history of American communism.

Both the Hoover Collection and the Childs Papers were generously donated by the J. Edgar Hoover Foundation to the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington D.C. for further use and display to the public.