James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor Diaries and Correspondence, 1933-1947

Summary

Creators:

O'Connor, James Francis Thaddeus, 1886-1949

Extent:

Number of containers: 21 volumes Number of microfilm reels: 2

Language:

English

Background

Physical location:

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Related resources

Other descriptive data:

James Francis Thaddeus O'Connor (1886-1949) was appointed Comptroller of the Currency by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and served until 1938 when he resigned to campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in California. Unsuccessful in this bid, he returned to the practice of law in Los Angeles and in September 1940 was appointed U.S. District Judge, Southern District.

This collection of letters and diaries was purchased by the Bancroft Library from John Valentine in April 1955. The diaries (v. 1-8) cover the period April 1933-December 1940. They include comments on political and international events; meetings with the President, legislators and members of the Roosevelt administration; Democratic national conventions and political campaigns; conferences and speaking engagements; and social activities. Many have clippings pasted in. The correspondence (v. 9-21) covers the years 1933-1947, and consists primarily of letters addressed to him, with a few carbon copies of his outgoing letters. They relate in general to his appointment, his work as Comptroller and New Deal banking legislation, his speaking engagements, social activities, his political campaigning, his resignation, appointment to the bench, etc. The volumes are arranged chronologically by year and alphabetically thereunder by name of correspondent, but there are many missing portions. A partial list of correspondents is included with this report.

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

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