The John B. Oakes Papers are organized in three parts. The first four reels of call number
Micro 96 constitute Part I and this portion is designated the “Original
Collection.” Its contents date 1932-1965 (primarily 1948-1965). Part II, the
“1970 Additions” consists of files loaned for copying in 1970. These are found
on Reel 5 of Micro 96; they date 1956, 1963-1967, 1969. Part III, designated the “1979
Additions,” is the one reel bearing call number Micro 728. These files actually were
received with the Original Collection, but their use was restricted until 1978. They date
1950-1960.
Part I, the Original Collection, consists of two categories--an alphabetical correspondence
file and an alphabetical subject file. This system retains exactly the original organization
of the papers in Mr. Oakes' own file.
Within the alphabetical listing of the correspondence file are notations relating to
subjects of particular interest which occur in the files of individual correspondents. There
are also notations as to the volume of material involved in certain files.
The alphabetical listing of the subject file includes, for most subjects, notations about
the particular areas of the subjects which the files concern as well as information about
the kinds of papers in the files.
It is suggested that the researcher take time to read the whole listing because information
on particular subjects--Senator Joseph McCarthy, for example--occurs in a number of
places.
The contents of Part II, the 1970 Additions, are letters written to Oakes and carbons of
his replies. Most of the letters either agree or disagree with editorials published in the
Times. A variety of well-known people are represented by
letters; a partial list is in the Contents List. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of
corresponding individual or organization.
A small amount of personal correspondence and a number of memoranda to other Times personnel are also included in the alphabetical sequence, as
is a report on state governors' views of the 1956 election, gathered in conversations at the
1956 Governors Conference and filed under “G.”
The Contents List for Part III, the 1979 Additions, contains extensive notes on the files
in this part.
