Fred M. Hechinger papers, 1937-1991

Summary

Creators:

Hechinger, Fred M.

Abstract:

A noted American journalist and education editor, the collection includes speeches and writings, correspondence, reviews, memoranda, studies, scrapbooks, and printed matter, all relating to education in the United States.

Extent:

74 manuscript boxes, 8 oversize boxes. (32.8 Linear Feet)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Fred M. Hechinger Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers of Fred M. Hechinger, a noted journalist and expert in the field of education, are an important addition to the education collections already in the Hoover Institution Library & Archives. They will constitute a significant source of information for students and researchers interested in the issues relating to education in the United States, from kindergarten to the college level. Fred Hechinger along with his wife, Grace Hechinger, also an author and champion of the cause of literacy, devoted a significant part of his life to writing about education, and the causes of its decline in the United States, and suggesting ways to improve it. His contributions were recognized by many educational institutions, as evident in the number of honorary degrees bestowed upon him.

The correspondence series represents Fred Hechinger's interaction with many individuals and organizations on questions of education. His opinions and observations about their research and publications were always sought after. The speeches and writings series testifies to his genuine interest and devotion to the cause of education. He was flooded with invitations to write, speak, and be interviewed. The comments and reviews of his speeches and writings bear out the level of expertise he acquired and the appreciation and acknowledgements he received from grateful fellow educators and parents. This series also includes writings jointly completed by Fred and Grace Hechinger and indicates the prominent role she played in her husband's career.

Fred Hechinger's association with various newspapers and specially with the New York Times as education ed., member of the editorial board, and finally as the president of the New York Times Foundation, is illustrated in the newspaper columns series and the New York Times and New York Times Foundation series. Together, they reveal his level of involvement in the newspaper and the role he played in the organization, the columns he wrote, the ideas and suggestions he received from his friends, admirers, and the public, and their opinions about his columns. The career file includes records of his association with different organizations and is indicative of the high regard in which he was held by his peers.

The papers of Grace Hechinger, found in a separate series, although not large in volume, are nevertheless significant, as they reflect her own interest in educational issues. Besides biographical material and correspondence, the series provides samples of her writings.

Biographical / historical:

Date	Event
1920 July 7	Born, Nuremberg, Germany
1943	Naturalized; A.B., City College, New York
1944-1946	Member, Office of Military Attach, American Embassy, and with British War Office
1945	Graduate study, University of London
1946-1947	Correspondent, Times Educational Supplement, London
1947-1950	Education Columnist, Washington Post Education Editor and Foreign Correspondent, Bridgeport Sunday Herald
1948	Special Consultant to the Director, Education and Cultural Relations Division, U.S. Military Government in Germany
1948-1950	Foreign Correspondent, Overseas News Agency
1950-1956	Education Editor, New York Herald Tribune
1956	Author, An Adventure in Education: Connecticut Points the Way
1956-1959	Associate Publisher and Executive Editor, Bridgeport Sunday Herald
1958	Married Grace Bernstein. Author, Worrying About College?
1959	Author, The Big Red Schoolhouse
1959-1969	Education Editor, New York Times
1963	Author, Teen-Age Tyranny (with Grace Hechinger)
1968	Author, New York Times Guide to New York City Private Schools (with Grace Hechinger)
1969-1977	Member, Editorial Board, New York Times
1973-	Adjunct professor, Hunter College and Queens College, City University of New York
1975	Author, Growing Up in America (with Grace Hechinger)
1976	Assistant Editor, editorial page, New York Times
1976-1977	Deputy Editor, editorial page, New York Times
1977-1990	President, New York Times Company Foundation
1981	Author, Higher Learning in the Nation's Service(with Ernest L. Boyer)
1988-1995	Member and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Senior Advisor, Carnegie Corporation of New York
1992	Author, Fateful Choices: Healthy Youth for the 21st Century
1995 November 6	Died, New York

Acquisition information:

Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1989.

Arrangement:

Arranged into twelve series: Biographical File, Correspondence, Speeches and Writings, Newspaper Columns File, New York Times and New York Times Foundation File, Career File, Grace Hechinger File, Subject File, Photographs, Computer Disk, Oversize File, and Scrapbooks.

Physical location:

Hoover Institution Library & Archives

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Education -- United States
Journalists

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Fred M. Hechinger Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:

Hoover Institution

Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University

Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US

Contact:

(650) 723-3563

hooverarchives@stanford.edu

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