Thomas Griffith Papers, 1914-1999
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Content Description
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Personal and family papers, circa 1914-1998, undated
- Nieman fellowship files and early days atTime, circa 1941-1959, 1981-1989, undated
- Career atTime, circa 1947-1988, undated
- Major book project files, circa 1959-1995, undated
- Essays, speeches, and articles, circa 1958-1999, undated
- Travel files, circa 1949-1971, undated
- Notebooks and diaries, circa 1961-1999
- Photographs and slides, circa 1967-1990's
- Miscellany, 1924, 1965-1968, undated
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Griffith, Thomas, 1915-
- Title
- Thomas Griffith Papers
- Dates
- 1914-1999 (inclusive)19141999
- Quantity
- 19.66 cubic feet (20 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 5445 (Accession No. 5445-001)
- Summary
- Papers of a journalist who worked for Seattle Times, Time Magazine and Time Inc.
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
Thomas Griffith was born in Tacoma, Washington on December 30, 1915, and died in New York City in 2002. Mr. Griffith was a member of the University of Washington graduate class of 1936 from the School of Journalism. He worked as a reporter and Assistant City Editor for the Seattle Times from 1936 to1942, before receiving a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard (1942-43). Griffith was recruited from Harvard as staff writer for Time Magazine by Henry Luce. Mr. Griffith continued at Time, Inc. for the remainder of his career, serving in various capacities culminating in his appointment as Corporate Editor for Time, Inc. in 1964. Griffith retired from Time, Inc. in 1988.
Thomas Griffith was author of two books on journalism,Harry and Teddy: the Turbulent Friendship of Press Lord Henry R. Luce and his Favorite Reporter, Theodore H. White(1995), andHow True: A Skeptic's Guide to Believing the News(1974). He also wrote a popularly acclaimed book on American culture titledThe Waist-High Culturein 1959. Mr. Griffith authored hundreds of articles on diverse topics, and he traveled widely in support of research for his writings. Griffith received various awards, including the first University of Washington School of Communications Career Achievement in Communications Award (1975), and Roosevelt High School (Seattle) Distinguished Alumni Award (1968).
Content Description
The Thomas Griffith Papers document his student days at the University of Washington, his early career on the staff of the Seattle Times, and his years as a staff writer and senior editor at Time Magazine and for Time Inc. The collection also sheds light on his writing and research with manuscripts of his published works, and notes and drafts of his unpublished books. The papers document his travels and associations with correspondence, notes, collected clippings, and conference talks. More may be learned about his impressions of people and places once his many notebooks and diaries are studied. His interest in architecture and art is also represented. Some material gives insight into his family life and family history.
Use of the Collection
Preferred Citation
Thomas Griffith Papers, Special Collections Division, University of Washington Libraries.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Arranged into 9 series:
- Personal and family papers, circa 1914-1998, undated
- Nieman Fellowship files and early days atTime, circa 1941-1959, 1981-1989, undated
- Career atTime, circa 1947-1988, undated
- Major book projects, circa 1959-1995, undated
- Essays, speeches, articles, circa 1958-1999, undated
- Travel files, circa 1949-1971, undated
- Notebooks and diaries, circa 1961-1999
- Photographs and slides, circa 1967-1990's
- Miscellany, 1924, 1965-1968, undated
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Personal and family papers
Includes biographical features, material related to his student days at the University of Washington, as well as personal letters, photographs of family and friends, clippings regarding art and architecture, and material related to the Roosevelt High School reunion at which he received the distinguished alumnus award.
Dates: circa 1914-1998, undatedContainer: Box 1-2 -
Description: Nieman fellowship files and early days atTime
Includes material related to the Nieman Fellowship at Harvard, as well as the Nieman Foundation, letters, memos, and clippings.
Dates: circa 1941-1959, 1981-1989, undatedContainer: Box 2 -
Description: Career atTime
Includes memos and speeches, correspondence, photographs, material concerning and correspondence from Henry Luce; letters and writings aboutTimeand its writers, material concerning topical ideas and series, and material related to Griffith's promotions.
Dates: circa 1947-1988, undatedContainer: Box 3-5 -
Description: Major book project files
Includes manuscript drafts, notes, correspondence, reviews, and research material for:
Harry and Teddy : The Turbulent Friendship of Press Lord Henry R. Luce and his Favorite Reporter, Theodore H. White
How True: A Skeptic's Guide to Believing the News
The Waist-High Culture
As well as for incomplete works regarding "Inequality in America", "John Sevier", and "United States political campaigns." Also includes two oversize scrapbooks for reviews ofThe Waist-High Culturein box 20.
Dates: circa 1959-1995, undatedContainer: Box 6-10, 20 -
Description: Essays, speeches, and articles
Includes drafts, correspondence, and research material for a variety of Griffith's writings, especially his columns "Party of One" forAtlantic, "Newswatch" forTime,and "Guest Privilege" forLife. Also includes essays on such topics as the Northwest United States, the American Dream, the Justice Department of the United States, and Richard Nixon. Includes speeches given at conferences and seminars, and a collection of clippings of his articles inTime,Atlantic, andFortuneAlso includes a copy ofLifemagazine from 1971, which includes an article by Griffith titled "Getting Together" in box 20.
Dates: circa 1958-1999, undatedContainer: Box 10-13, 20 -
Description: Travel files
Griffith traveled to many regions and countries for research and recreation. Some travel material is related to his research on international political issues and cultural studies. This series includes correspondence and telegrams, trip itineraries, background and research material, photographs, and ephemera. Concerns Latin America, Europe (especially Britain, France, Germany, and southeastern Europe), Asia (especially French Indo-China), and Africa (especially Nigeria and South Africa).
Dates: circa 1949-1971, undatedContainer: Box 13-14 -
Description: Notebooks and diaries
Includes 68 datebooks and notebooks that contain descriptions of events and personal observations, some were probably used during Griffith's travels.
Dates: circa 1961-1999Container: Box 15 -
Description: Photographs and slides
Includes slides in 8 carousel slide trays of Griffith's trips to Africa, Iran, Israel, and Turkey, among other places. Also includes many photographs and negatives of trips, family, and friends. Includes publicity portraits, photographs within theTimeoffices, as well as photographs of Griffith with United States politicians and cabinet members in box 17. Also includes altered and humorous oversize photographs of Griffith in box 20.
Dates: circa 1967-1990'sContainer: Box 16-18, 20 -
Description: Miscellany
Includes a University of Washington Alumni Fun Goblet, a Roosevelt Alumni Award, two framed political cartoons signed by the artist in box 19, and one issue ofLibertyfrom 1924 in box 20
Dates: 1924, 1965-1968, undatedContainer: Box 19, 20
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Newspaper editors--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Periodical editors--New York
Personal Names
- Griffith, Thomas, 1915- --Archives
Corporate Names
- Seattle Times Company (creator)
- Time, inc
- University of Washington--Alumni and alumnae
Titles within the Collection
- Seattle times (Seattle, Wash. : 1966)
- Time
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Griffith, Thomas, 1915- --Diaries (creator)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
