Papers of Frank Tillman Durdin, China specialist, journalist for the NEW YORK TIMES (1937-1974) and the first American journalist granted a visa to reenter China in 1971. During his career, Durdin reported on the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), the collapse of European colonial rule in Indo-China and the emergence of the People's Republic of China. Materials include correspondence between Durdin and the NEW YORK TIMES staff, original copies of news reports filed by Durdin, extensive subject files on the People's Republic of China, Taiwan and other East Asian countries, and photographs documenting the Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945. The collection is arranged in eight series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) CORRESPONDENCE, 3) WRITINGS BY TILLMAN DURDIN, 4) WRITINGS BY MARGARET DURDIN, 5) FINANCIAL RECORDS, 6) SUBJECT FILES, 7) PHOTOGRAPHS, and 8) ORIGINALS OF PRESERVATION PHOTOCOPIES.

Frank Tillman Durdin was born on March 20, 1907, in Elkhart, Texas. He began his career in journalism during high school as editor of the weekly newspaper PECOS ENTERPRISE. During college Durdin worked intermittently for the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS and the LOS ANGELES TIMES.

30.90 linear feet (26 archives boxes, 5 card files boxes, 16 records cartons, and 11 oversize folders)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.