Robert "Bob" Swann was the founder of the E. F. Schumacher Society, now the Schumacher Center for a New Economics. Prior to founding the Schumacher Society, Bob worked on a numerous projects involving nonviolence, land reform, and local currency. The archives span the duration of his life and work but primarly contain material related to his work with local currencies and community land trusts, both with the E. F. Schumacher Society and with Ralph Borsodi through the International Independence Institute and Institute for Community Economics.
Robert Swann's archives consist of letters, manuscripts, articles, memorabilia, and lecture and background notes, which can be viewed at the Schumacher Center Library.
Robert Swann's library consists of over 300 books, pamphlets, and periodicals that he donated to the library. These books give an insight into the works that were most influential on Swann's thinking, especially during his years at the E. F. Schumacher Society. Many books bear inscriptions from the author to Bob, demonstrating the wide-ranging connections he had to many writers.
LEFT: A notecard for a speech or discussion concerning the philosophy underlying the community land trust model as a basis for taking land out of the speculative market and replacing ownership with trusteeship.
The Schumacher Center Archives Catalog
Includes the E. F. Schumacher Archives, the Robert Swann Archives, the Local Currency Archives, and the Special Collections Archives.
To isolate and search the Robert Swann Archives, use the search term "Bob Swann Archives."
*note: Box 1 of the Bob Swann Archives is fully searchable on the archive catalog. Boxes 2 and 3 have been organized by folder but are not individually cataloged online. A finding aid is available to give an overview of the collection.
The Schumacher Center Library Catalog
Includes the General Collection, E. F. Schumacher's Library, Robert Swann's Library, and the Special Collections.
To isolate and search Robert Swann's Collection, search by "Location" and use the special collection keyword Robert Swann Collection.
Before You Begin
Searching the Archives...
- Please note that the Robert Swann Archives, the E. F. Schumacher Archives, the Local Currency Archives, and the Special Collections Archives are currently cataloged on the Schumacher Center Archives database. Use the search term "Bob Swann Archives" "E. F. Schumacher Archives" "Local Currency Archives" "John Emmeus Davis Collection" or "Elizabeth Henderson Collection" to isolate and search the individual archival collections.
- Refer to the Selected Keyword Index for sample search terms. Please note that while the Selected Keyword Index contains most of the documents’ descriptors, some keywords are not listed; nonetheless, you should be able to access any document through one of its multiple keywords.
- Understand variations in our labeling system. The documents in the Schumacher Center Archives are cataloged using a unique labeling system which corresponds to the physical location of documents in the library. As such, you may ignore the location unless you intend to visit the Library and view the documents in person.
- Publications. Many of Robert Swann's essays and articles were published in various journals as well as in Schumacher Center pamphlets. They can be searched on the Schumacher Center Library Catalog by selecting "author" from the search menu and searching for "Robert Swann." Many of these publications are also available for reading on our website.