The John Charles Daly papers, 1938-1967, consist of correspondence, a scrapbook, and subject files documenting his career as a network newsman and quiz show moderator, especially in the period 1956 to 1960. His arrangement of these papers has been retained; they are broken down chronologically by year into general correspondence and subject files with the most recent documents presented first. Routine and duplicate papers were removed in processing.
In the general correspondence are social invitations and much audience inquiry about Daly's genealogy, his family, and his opinions on current issues. Correspondence re a particular topic, such as ABC policy-making or What's My Line?, has been filed by subject. The subject file also includes interoffice correspondence re John Daly and the News; scripts and correspondence for the Voice of Firestone, a musical show moderated by Daly; correspondence pertaining to speaking engagements (extracurricular activity) which he accepted or declined; publicity material on Daly and the programs he was associated with; and fundraising materials for schools attended by Daly or his children. The scrapbook contains photographs and memorabilia of events covered by Daly as White House correspondent in 1938-1939, most notably the visit of the British King and Queen to the U.S.
The disc recordings and the films are described following the container list of manuscripts.
The collection includes no personal or family papers; neither does it document Daly's years with CBS very heavily nor his early years with ABC at all. For example, there is no record in these papers of the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings broadcast in full by ABC.
