Kaufman family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0769

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586. Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive.

Scope and Contents

One box of certificates, correspondence, memorabilia, photographs, publications, a commencement program, speeches, and a scrapbook document the lives of the Stephen and Ann Kaufman's family from 1900 to 2012. Of particular interest are a personal letter to Stephen Kaufman from Vice President Lyndon Johnson and a badge and general admission pass to the 1960 Democratic National Convention. There is also an oral history interview with Stephen Kaufman available online in our institutional repository: https://scholarship.rice.edu/handle/1911/110317.

Dates

Creation: 1900 - 2021

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Kaufman family papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Stephen M. Kaufman was born in 1941, in Houston, Texas. Mr. Kaufman grew up in Houston and graduated from Bellaire Senior High School in 1958. After graduation, he attended Harvard College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Magna Cum Laude, in 1962. His last two years at Harvard involved intense study of life insurance company taxation, which culminated in his honors thesis entitled, "The Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959." which was published in the National Tax Journal in December 1963 and March 1964. Mr. Kaufman built a long and successful career in the life insurance business.

At the time of his graduation, Kaufman received a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the destroyer USS John Hood during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He completed his tour of duty on July 1, 1964 with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1972.

Stephen married Ann Poborsky in Houston on March 14, 1974. Stephen and Ann have been fixtures in the community and have been actively involved in Congregation Beth Israel, the American Jewish Committee, and the Houston Grand Opera among many other organizations. Both Stephen and Ann have been recipients of the David H. White award for recognition of their community involvement.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection includes certificates, correspondence, family photos, publications, a Bellaire High School commencement program, speeches, a scrapbook, an oral history, and memorabilia from the 1960 Democratic National Convention that document the activities of Stephen Kaufman, primarily, and to a lesser extent his wife, Ann, and both of their families.

Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged in eight series as follows:

Series I: Certificates; Series II: Correspondence; Series III: Memorabilia; Series IV: Photographs; Series V: Programs; Series VI: Publications; Series VII: Scrapbook; Series VIII: Speeches; Series IX: Oral History