Guide to the Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s Archive
The documents produced and stored by Fernando Henrique Cardoso reflect his family, academic, and political career and are aligned with the books and periodicals he collected, representative of the areas of research or topics his wife and him expressed an interest in. Part of the library was gifted to him during his public career.
Pre-presidential period
The first segment of the collection refers to his childhood and the phases of his studies, academic and family life, research and scientific production, up until his first presidential campaign in 1994. It contains mostly textual documents (around 175 archive boxes) and iconography (around 2,000 photos).
In addition to correspondence exchanged with teaching and research institutions in the field of Social Sciences, with colleagues, friends, and students, there is material relating to his teaching career (field notebooks, reading notes, lesson plans) and the administration of the Centro Brasileiro de Análise e Planejamento (Cebrap). Emblematic documents show the resistance of a group of intellectuals to the authoritarian military government established in 1964.
From his time as senator and finance minister, there is correspondence from citizens with requests and suggestions. His political career is also reflected in other records related to electoral events, including speeches, interviews, opinion poll reports, and photographic reports. Press clippings follow FHC’s public career.
Presidential period
The material accumulated during the two presidential terms includes, for the most part, what was established in the Archives Law – No. 8.394, of December 30, 1991, as private documentation of public interest, that is, what was received by the Personal Cabinet. There, documents of the most varied kinds arrived from direct advisors, ministers and other members of the Executive, parliamentarians, businesspeople, and citizens: reports, preparatory notes for trips, technical opinions, decorations, agendas, prospectuses, etc. In smaller numbers, there are projects, proposals, and programs from different institutions and individuals, submitted for the attention of the head.
The majority of the textual documentation fills more than a thousand archive boxes. As well as correspondence sent by authorities, institutions, and friends, there are letters and other types of messages with requests, suggestions, criticisms, and compliments sent by ordinary citizens. This set represents a sample of 10% of the total received, the rest having been donated to the National Archives. Printouts from campaigns and movements with the most diverse demands contain denunciations, generally linked to the defense of human rights.
Post-presidential period
Back to his life as a university professor, lecturer, writer, and advisor to national and foreign organizations, Fernando Henrique Cardoso continues to collect documents that, in different languages and media, represent actions taken since 2003, when his second presidential term ended. The collection includes the products of his participation in the Club de Madrid, the Inter-American Dialogue, The Elders group, special UN commissions, and Fundação FHC.
Correspondence, reports, projects, press releases, certificates, and diplomas coexist with photographic and television reports, commemorative medals, and various objects given to the holder.
