John T. Flynn (1882-1964) was a newspaperman, essayist, radio commentator, biographer, and author of books on current affairs. He wrote for a wide variety of periodicals ranging from Harpers to the National Review. 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 communications. Among the many correspondents Flynn cultivated during his career was Burton K. Wheeler, senator from Montana from 1923-1947. The two men exchanged letters pertaining to a wide variety of mutual interests during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
The Burton K. Wheeler documents from the John T. Flynn papers consist of letters, newspaper clippings, and other materials either exchanged between the two men or letters sent to Wheeler by citizens interested in his activities in the United States Senate. Wheeler apparently forwarded these citizen letters, along with his carbon replies, to Flynn for the latter's use in his research. The bulk of these citizen letters pertain to Senator Wheeler's investigation of the book "Under Cover" written by John Ray Carlson (Avedis Arthur Derounian) which attempted to link the members of the America First Committee with the Nazi Party. Other letters exchanged between Wheeler and Flynn pertain to routine greetings, Wheeler's failed campaign for reelection in 1946, and other political matters. The materials have been placed in topically labeled folders, along with a copy of the finding aid for the University of Oregon Library's Collection 116, the John T. Flynn Papers, from which this material has been copied.
These documents are made available for research use only through the courtesy of the University of Oregon Library's Special Collections department. No photocopies are allowed, and permission to quote from these materials must be obtained directly from the appropriate authorities at the University of Oregon Library.
These documents are made available for research use only through the courtesy of the University of Oregon Library's Special Collections department. No photocopies are allowed, and permission to quote from these materials must be obtained directly from the appropriate authorities at the University of Oregon Library.
Positive photocopies of original documents found in the John T. Flynn papers, Collection 116, were purchased from the University of Oregon Library on November 18, 1996
This collection was processed 2009 May 22