Having now done some research, I really don’t think this is a thing to worry about. The Truman presidential library is run by the National Archives and Records Administration, without the involvement of the family, or a foundation (unlike those of living and recently deceased presidents.) There is a Truman Foundation, but it does not operate as part of his estate, and seems to have no connection to the family. There seems to be no estate which even could give permission to use the name. I don’t think anyone has the impression that Truman’s family or estate authorized this, and as above, from my research, they couldn’t now have done so, as there is no-one authorized to do it. Overall, it seems like it’s really not a problem.
And the ACM rules are for living and recently deceased individuals, not historical figures—and while I could see an argument that people who died a half century ago might still be a problem, I don’t think it holds water.
Hi Ryan,
Having now done some research, I really don’t think this is a thing to worry about. The Truman presidential library is run by the National Archives and Records Administration, without the involvement of the family, or a foundation (unlike those of living and recently deceased presidents.) There is a Truman Foundation, but it does not operate as part of his estate, and seems to have no connection to the family. There seems to be no estate which even could give permission to use the name. I don’t think anyone has the impression that Truman’s family or estate authorized this, and as above, from my research, they couldn’t now have done so, as there is no-one authorized to do it. Overall, it seems like it’s really not a problem.
And the ACM rules are for living and recently deceased individuals, not historical figures—and while I could see an argument that people who died a half century ago might still be a problem, I don’t think it holds water.