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Frank Wilson papers 1873-1971

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Wilson, Frank, 1887-1970
Title
Frank Wilson papers 1873-1971   ( inclusive)
Quantity
19.96 cubic ft. (22 boxes)
Collection Number
08312
Summary
Papers of Frank Wilson, an investigator of Al Capone, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and the assassination of Huey Long, as well as chief of the United States Secret Service during World War II.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid has been made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

Frank John Wilson was born in Buffalo, New York in 1887. He served briefly in the U.S. Army during WWI, but was discharged in 1919 due to poor eyesight. In 1919, Wilson was the Chief New York state investigator for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In 1920, he briefly worked for the Department of Justice Fair Price Commission, before becoming an agent with the U.S. Treasury Department Internal Revenue Bureau Intelligence Unit, a position he would hold until 1936. During this time he was involved with investigations of Al Capone, the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case, and the Huey Long assassination. As Chief of the U.S. Secret Service from 1937-1946, Wilson launched the anti-counterfeiting "Know Your Money" campaign, instituted increased security measures for the president and other dignitaries, and began an educational campaign against wartime black market activities. After his retirement from government service, Wilson was a security consultant and published a series of Secret Service articles and an autobiography, "Special Agent" (1965). He also remained active in the U.S. Treasury Agents Association and served as president of the National Association of Retired Civil Employees from 1952-1960. He died in Washington, D.C. in 1970.

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Content Description

A large portion of the collection consists of articles, radio scripts, and other manuscripts written by Frank John Wilson relating to his career as a Secret Service agent, and based off many of his and his colleagues’ cases. Also present are many files relating directly to his civil service career (both as an agent with the U.S. Treasury Department and the Secret Service), including case files, correspondence, newspaper clippings, reports, scrapbooks, and photographs. Much of the correspondence and case files pertain to his anti-counterfeiting campaign and his protection of the President and other dignitaries. There are also files on the Lindbergh kidnapping case, Al Capone, and Huey Long. Some personal files are also present, including correspondence, diaries, and other ephemeral materials.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Frank Wilson at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Arthur E. Steffan in August 1975.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Emily Christopherson in May 2011

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Processed by Emily Christopherson in May 2011
2011

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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