Clarence Manion papers, 1922-1979

Creator Names Manion, Clarence, 1896-1979.

Title Clarence Manion papers [manuscript], 1922-1979, bulk 1941-1979.

Physical description

51.25 linear ft.
1 oversize folder.
4 sound cassettes. (in box 104).
1 sound recording (1 reel). (in box 113).

Access and usage restrictions

The collection is open for research use except box 117 is closed to researchers.
For listening purposes, it is necessary to use a copy, not the original (and to have a listening copy made if one is not available).

Collection summary

Clarence Manion's papers are comprised of incoming correspondence and carbon copies of outgoing letters; transcripts of Manion Forum broadcasts, 1954-1979; and publications advocating conservative positions on American domestic and foreign affairs, including monographs written or published by Manion; speeches, news clippings, and other materials. A manuscript of Barry Goldwater's book, Conscience of a Conservative is included.
Topics discussed in the collection include advocacy for the Bricker Amendment; activities of the John Birch Society in California and elsewhere; support for Goldwater's presidential campaigns in 1960 and 1964; Manion's appointment to and resignation from the federal Commission on Intergovernmental Relations; Manion's service on the American Bar Association's Committee for the Study of Communist Tactics, Strategy and Objectives; the threat of Communist expansion abroad and internal subversion; U.S. military preparedness; and the extension of the power of the federal government in domestic affairs; Manion's activities as a professor of constitutional law at Notre Dame University, and his businesses, and family. Correspondents include William F. Buckley, Jr., General Bonner Fellers, Barry Goldwater, J. Bracken Lee, J. Fred Schlafly, Phyllis Schlafly, Paul Talbert, and Robert Welch.
The papers not only state Dean Manion's personal views on history and political theory. They also document conservative thought and action in America because of the extraordinary breadth of Manion's contacts on the political right as well as the wide reach of his radio and television programs. Correspondents include personal friends as well as members of the general public who listened to the Manion Forum; public officials and political leaders; and conservative publicists, theoreticians, and organizers.

Acquisition information Portions of the collection are a gift of Clarence Manion (M1968.0709) and Mrs. Clarence Manion (M1980.0025).

Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Clarence Manion photograph collection (1981.0117) and a complete run of the Manion Forum Newsletter, cataloged separately. A complete collection of audio recordings of Manion Forum radio broadcasts, 1954-1979, on 1294 reels was given to Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, by Mrs. Manion in 1980.

Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available online.

Names