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See the Collective Name Index to the Research Collection of Conservative and Libertarian Studies for a cross-referenced index to names of correspondents in this collection, if any, and 37 related University of Oregon collections, including dates of correspondence. See index instructions on use.
John Thomas Flynn, born on October 25, 1882, was a newspaperman, essayist, radio commentator, biographer, and authors of books on current affairs. For ten years he was a columnist for the New Republic, and for six years an associate editor of Collier's. Magazines ranging from Harper's to National Review featured his articles , and he was a frequent contributor to Reader's Digest, either as author or editor. Through his radio broadcasts, particularly the series "Behind the Headlines," he reached a large national audience. His early books were on economic subjects; later his books were critical commentaries on national and international trends, the best-known being Country Squire in the White House and The Road Ahead. From 1940, he was one of the most literate and influential spokesmen among those who saw current events as evidence of a socialistic or communistic conspiracy in politics, religion, economics, and communication. He died on April 13, 1964.
The John T. Flynn Papers include 44 book manuscripts for 22 titles, of which 18 are by Flynn, one by congressman Martin Dies (though this is said to have been ghost-written by Flynn), and one by Herbert Hoover. There are about 800 manuscripts of periodical articles, including Mr. Flynn's column for the New Republic, and his syndicated articles for the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Scripts of his broadcasts, and manuscripts of his speeches and non-series radio addresses are included.
The correspondence of about 7, 200 letters, both with organizations and individuals, reflects Flynn's special interests. There are substantial letter files for the American Writer's Association, Committee for Constitutional Government, Merwin K. Hart, Herbert Hoover, Lewis Mumford, Gerald P. Nye, Burton K. Wheeler, Homer Bone, George W. Robnett, and Robert E. Wood, among others. The file concerning the New York chapter of the America First Committee also includes important correspondence.