GB 0372 ROTH - ROTH, Andrew (1919-2010)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0372 ROTH

Title

ROTH, Andrew (1919-2010)

Date(s)

  • 1937-2008 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

c 20 Boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Andrew Roth was born in New York in April, 1919, to Jewish-Hungarian parents. He went on to study Far Eastern History and Chinese at Columbia University, pursuing his interest in the politics and development of the Far East. He went on to work as a researcher for the Institute of Pacific Relations before completing an intensive Japanese language course at Harvard at the behest of the UN Navy. Roth completed his enlistment after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, working as a Naval Intelligence Officer specialising in Japanese translations and code breaking. Before the end of his Navy career he was tried for pro-communist sympathies and leaking Naval documents to the Left-wing Amerasia Magazine, but was released without conviction.

After the War Roth successfully published his first book, titled Dilemma in Japan, in 1945. He then left America and travelled extensively across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, acting as a roving correspondent for The Nation Magazine, a left-leaning US publication. He also worked as a freelance journalist for various US and Canadian publications, as well as most of the major newspapers of Asia, including The Hindu, India; The Pakistan Times; The Palestine Post; and The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon syndicate. Writing on topical issues and the post-war political developments of the Far East, Roth worked with and wrote about most of the major political and journalistic figures of the time.

The McCarthy anti-communist trials of the late 1940s prompted Roth to postpone returning to America, and he instead settled in England in 1950, remaining there until his death. He continued his journalistic outpourings, working predominantly for The Manchester Evening News (1972-1984), The New Statesman (1984-1997), and contributing regularly to The Guardian’s obituaries section. He continued to write for other foreign newspapers and magazines, and received regular speaking engagements to talk about his political views and experiences in post-war Asia. The focus of Roth’s work shifted towards European political research, resulting in the ‘Parliamentary Profiles’ series of political biographies, published from 1955 onwards. He also published seven books relating to various political figures, and created the weekly Westminster Confidential newsletter.

Roth died on 12 August 2010 of prostate cancer, aged 91.

Archival history

GB 0372 ROTH 1937-2008 Fond c 20 Boxes Roth , Andrew , 1919-2010 , journalist and political satirist

Andrew Roth was born in New York in April, 1919, to Jewish-Hungarian parents. He went on to study Far Eastern History and Chinese at Columbia University, pursuing his interest in the politics and development of the Far East. He went on to work as a researcher for the Institute of Pacific Relations before completing an intensive Japanese language course at Harvard at the behest of the UN Navy. Roth completed his enlistment after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, working as a Naval Intelligence Officer specialising in Japanese translations and code breaking. Before the end of his Navy career he was tried for pro-communist sympathies and leaking Naval documents to the Left-wing Amerasia Magazine, but was released without conviction.

After the War Roth successfully published his first book, titled Dilemma in Japan, in 1945. He then left America and travelled extensively across Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, acting as a roving correspondent for The Nation Magazine, a left-leaning US publication. He also worked as a freelance journalist for various US and Canadian publications, as well as most of the major newspapers of Asia, including The Hindu, India; The Pakistan Times; The Palestine Post; and The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon syndicate. Writing on topical issues and the post-war political developments of the Far East, Roth worked with and wrote about most of the major political and journalistic figures of the time.

The McCarthy anti-communist trials of the late 1940s prompted Roth to postpone returning to America, and he instead settled in England in 1950, remaining there until his death. He continued his journalistic outpourings, working predominantly for The Manchester Evening News (1972-1984), The New Statesman (1984-1997), and contributing regularly to The Guardian’s obituaries section. He continued to write for other foreign newspapers and magazines, and received regular speaking engagements to talk about his political views and experiences in post-war Asia. The focus of Roth’s work shifted towards European political research, resulting in the ‘Parliamentary Profiles’ series of political biographies, published from 1955 onwards. He also published seven books relating to various political figures, and created the weekly Westminster Confidential newsletter.

Roth died on 12 August 2010 of prostate cancer, aged 91.

Deposited by Andrew Roth’s children, Terry and Neil Roth, in April and May 2011.

Personal papers and working papers of Andrew Roth (1919-2010), including: Naval records and discharge papers, c 1941-1945; copies of his regular family newsletter of the late 1940s titled The Gripes of Roth, and other personal correspondence to family and friends; detailed business correspondence between Roth and the multiple agencies, syndicates and publications he wrote for during his travels in Europe and the Far East covering topics such as publication of articles, payments and contractual arrangements, c 1945-1960; copies and draft versions of Roth’s articles and publications, concerning predominantly political and economic subjects related to the Far East and America, and the rise of Communism in Asia; photographs from Roth’s travels around Europe and Asia, [1946-1950].

The archive of Andrew Roth is divided into the following five series:
ROTH/1: Biographical Material;
ROTH/2: Correspondence;
ROTH/3: Manuscripts;
ROTH/4: Press Cuttings;
ROTH/5: Photographs.

Open.

Photocopying and scanning facilities are available for a charge and will be completed by archival staff if condition and copyright permits. Digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.

English.

ADliB Online Catalogue.

Bishopsgate Institute holds the extensive Parliamentary Profiles Archive, compiled by Andrew Roth.

Entry compiled by Stefan Dickers.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

3 December 2011. Communism Journalism Travel writing Political satire World War Two (1939-1945) Roth , Andrew , 1919-2010 , journalist and political satirist Literary forms and genres Collectivism World wars (events) Satire Literature Political doctrines Wars (events)

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Deposited by Andrew Roth’s children, Terry and Neil Roth, in April and May 2011.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Personal papers and working papers of Andrew Roth (1919-2010), including: Naval records and discharge papers, c 1941-1945; copies of his regular family newsletter of the late 1940s titled The Gripes of Roth, and other personal correspondence to family and friends; detailed business correspondence between Roth and the multiple agencies, syndicates and publications he wrote for during his travels in Europe and the Far East covering topics such as publication of articles, payments and contractual arrangements, c 1945-1960; copies and draft versions of Roth’s articles and publications, concerning predominantly political and economic subjects related to the Far East and America, and the rise of Communism in Asia; photographs from Roth’s travels around Europe and Asia, [1946-1950].

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The archive of Andrew Roth is divided into the following five series:
ROTH/1: Biographical Material;
ROTH/2: Correspondence;
ROTH/3: Manuscripts;
ROTH/4: Press Cuttings;
ROTH/5: Photographs.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopying and scanning facilities are available for a charge and will be completed by archival staff if condition and copyright permits. Digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Bishopsgate Institute holds the extensive Parliamentary Profiles Archive, compiled by Andrew Roth.

Finding aids

ADliB Online Catalogue.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Bishopsgate Institute

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area