About This Collection
SJU Archives received the Beltran Kropp papers in April 2022. Pedro Beltran was the Peruvian ambassador to United States from 1944-1945, Prime Minister of Peru from 1959-1961, and Minister of Finance in 1959. Miriam Kropp Beltran worked for IBM from 1939-1943, and for the US Department of State in Washington, DC and Lima, Peru from 1943-1945. After her marriage to Pedro Beltran she joined his work on La Prensa, a daily newspaper in Peru. The papers detail the lives of the Beltrans, reflecting events in which Pedro Beltran was imprisoned by the government for his work at La Prensa, as well as his time as Minister of Finance and Prime Minister. The couple traveled the world and had well known friends in the US including the Rockefellers, William Buckley and Randolph Hearst. The papers are interesting, rich in detail and have great research value. This collection ties into the labor movement and the issues of freedom of the press. The Jesuits at Saint Joseph's College and later University had a great interest in Central and South America and SJC and SJU sent students to live in villages and work with the people of various countries in Latin America. Dennis Comey, S.J. was a famous labor arbitrator at SJC who advocated for workers' rights, including migrant workers. The Food Marketing program and International Relations division had ties to South America.