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Aaron Cohn Papers

Aaron Cohn Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Aaron Cohn Papers
Creator: Cohn, Aaron
Inclusive Dates: 1931-2012
Bulk Dates: 1945-2000
Language(s): English
Extent: 20 box(es) (13.5 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL321AC
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Aaron Cohn (1916-2012) served as a juvenile court judge in Columbus, Georgia (1965-2011). His papers include correspondence, clippings, reports, programs, awards, scrapbooks and photographs.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Aaron Cohn was born in Columbus, Georgia, on March 3, 1916. Cohn was a first-generation American born to Russian Jewish immigrants. He received his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1938 and was admitted to the bar the same year. He married Janet Lilienthal and together they had two daughters, Gail and Jane, and a son, Leslie.

In 1940, he volunteered for the United States Army and stayed on active duty until 1946. During World War II, he served with the 3rd U.S. Armored Cavalry in Europe in General Patton's army and served four tours in Europe, which included liberating the concentration camp at Ebensee in northern Austria. For his efforts during the war, Cohn was awarded the Bronze Star.

Following his military career, Cohn returned to practicing law in Columbus, Georgia. In 1965, he was appointed to the bench as judge of the Juvenile Court of Muscogee County. He would hold this position until he retired in 2011. His forty-five years of service makes him one of the longest serving judges in U.S. history. Throughout his tenure, Cohn was known for his sincerity and concern for the children who came before him in court. Cohn was also a senior partner of the law firm Cohn & Cohn, P.C., where he practiced with his son, Leslie Cohn, in Columbus.

Cohn died on July 4, 2012.

Source: Hyatt, Richard. "Judge Aaron Cohn dies at 96." The Ledger-Enquirer. 5 July 2012. Web. 1 April 2015.

Scope and Content

The Aaron Cohn Papers document his career as a juvenile court judge in Columbus, Georgia, his service in World War II, and aspects of his personal and family life. The papers include correspondence, clippings, reports, programs, awards, scrapbooks and photographs.

Organization and Arrangement

The papers are arranged in two series: I. Correspondence and Personal Ephemera and II. Scrapbooks and Photographs.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Preferred citation

Aaron Cohn Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

User Restrictions

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Copyright Information

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding Aid prepared by Mat Darby, 2015.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Columbus (Ga.)
Judges -- Georgia.
World War, 1939-1945.

Related Collections in this Repository

Duross Fitzpatrick Papers

W. Colbert Hawkins, Sr. Papers

Lewis R. Morgan Papers


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Series I. Correspondence and Personal Ephemera

3 box(es) (1.75 linear feet)
Series I. Correspondence and Personal Ephemera documents his military service, family life and tenure as a juvenile court judge and includes correspondence, clippings, reports, programs, and awards. Of note are letters that Cohn wrote home during World War II as well as his after action reports covering his military activities.
boxfolder
201[Letters from Aaron Cohn to his family during World War II], 1940s
202[Letters to Janet Ann from Aaron during World War II], 1940s
203[Letters to Aaron and Janet Ann Cohn], 1940s-1960s
204[Letters and postcards sent to Gail Cohn by her parents], 1962
205[Aaron and Janet Ann Cohn wedding invitation], 1941
206[Correspondence], 1993-2006
207[After Action Reports for Major Aaron Cohn], 1944 August - 1945 May
208[World War II], 1945-1948
209[James K. Polk documents and photographs], 1945, 2004
2010[Sports], 1941-1958, 2000
2011[Biographical Sketch], circa 2005
2012-13[Clippings], 1945-2012
2014[Programs, Invitations, Events], 1971-2009
2015[Awards and Resolutions], 1975-2010
box
18[Awards and Resolutions], 1958-1999
box
19Plaques, 1944-2011
 

Series II. Scrapbooks and Photographs

17 box(es) (11.75 linear feet)
Series II. Scrapbooks and Photographs documents Cohn's personal and professional life, spanning his youth in Columbus, his years at the University of Georgia, his military service and his tenure as a juvenile court judge.
box
18Scrapbook [clippings, ephemera and photographs detailing Cohn's time as a UGA student and after], 1930s
18[Loose scrapbook pages], 1933-1934
box
1Scrapbook [photographs and clippings detailing Cohn's time as a UGA student and service during World War II; later additions related to World War II anniversaries and events], 1930s-1940s, 1990s-2000s
box
2Scrapbook [family photographs, cards and ephemera], 1940s-2010s
box
3Scrapbook [clippings and photographs related to Cohn's juvenile justice work], 1960s
box
4Scrapbook [clippings, cards, and letters commemorating Cohn's 50th birthday], 1965-1966
box
5Scrapbook [clippings, letters, and photographs related to Cohn's juvenile justice work], 1960s-1970s
box
6Scrapbook [clippings related to Cohn's juvenile justice work], 1970s
box
7Scrapbook [clippings and photographs related to Cohn's "Distinguished Citizen" award and juvenile justice work], 1980s
box
8Scrapbook [clippings and letters related to Cohn's juvenile justice work and recognition of his World War II service], 1980s
box
9Scrapbook [clippings related to Cohn's juvenile justice work and congratulatory letters], 1990s
boxfolder
131Scrapbook: "If not for you, where would we be?" [thank yous and notes regarding Cohn's juvenile justice work], 1996
box
10Scrapbook [clippings and letters related to Cohn's work and awards], 1996-1997
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11Scrapbook [notice of Cohn receiving the Bronze Star for liberating a concentration camp; clippings related to juvenile justice work, birthday messages, congratulatory letters ], 1990s-2000s
box
12Scrapbook [clippings and photographs commemorating Cohn's 92nd birthday, service during World War II and YMCA team in Columbus, Georgia], 2000s
boxfolder
132Photograph Album [Cohn attending primarily UGA-related events], 2001-2007
box
14Scrapbook [clippings and letters related to juvenile justice work], 2002-2007
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15Scrapbook [clippings and letters related to juvenile justice work], 2003-2004
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16Scrapbook [photographs, clippings and letters related to The Aaron Cohn Youth Development Center in Columbus, Georgia], 2004
box
17Scrapbook [commemorating the Chattahoochee Valley's World War II veterans invited to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial], 2009
boxfolder
133Scrapbook [commemorating publication of Cohn's memoir "Judge Aaron Cohn: Memoirs of a First Generation American"] 2009, 2009
134Scrapbooks [photographs, clippings, birthday cards and letters commemorating Cohn's 93rd birthday], 2009
box
18Photograph: Soldiers at Camp Gordon, Georgia, circa 1945
boxfolder
2016-17Photographs [Cohn in his youth, during World War II, and as a judge], 1930s-2000s