urn:taro:utexas.cah.00507 A Guide to the Walter Winchell Papers Center for American History Finding aid created in XMetal 3 by Evan Hocker Finding aid written in English. August 2006 XML finding aid created by Evan Hocker using XMetal 3 according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD Editing Instructions April 2008 Updated by Evan Hocker Descriptive Summary Winchell, Walter Walter Winchell Papers 11 ft. Center for American History, The University of Texas Walter Winchell (1897-1972) gained acclaim as a journalist and gossip columnist with a career spanning five decades. Collection consists largely of correspondence with other notable figures in news, entertainment, and government. Also includes related clippings and articles. Materials are written in English. Biographical Note

Walter Winchell (1897-1972) gained acclaim as a journalist and gossip columnist with a career spanning five decades. He contributed a column to the New York Daily Mirror for over 30 years, as well as hosting radio and television broadcasts (ABC, CBS, and NBC). Winchell’s early career was marked by his public criticism of pro-fascists in America and strong condemnation of the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany. He also expressed support for the Democratic Party and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mixed with political opinion and commentary was Winchell’s trademark entertainment news and “gossip,” where he gained a reputation as being frank and fiery.

After World War II, Winchell became increasingly concerned with the spread of Communism and voiced support for Senator Joseph McCarthy and the “Red Scare” investigations. With the passing of the McCarthy era Winchell slowly faded from the public eye.

 Scope and Contents

Collection consists largely of correspondence with other notable figures in news, entertainment, and government. Also includes related clippings and articles.

 Preferred Citation

Walter Winchell Papers, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

 Description of the Papers Inventory 4Zg40 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg41 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg42 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg43 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg44 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg45 General correspondence, clippings, articles. 4Zg46 General correspondence, clippings, articles, including contracts, financial information and correspondence with Liz Smith, Hearst Magazines, Charles Gould, Shepard Traube, Joe Kennedy, Robert Kintner, Theodore Bilbo, George Murphy, David Durbin, John Swayze, Buddy Hackett, Eddie Fisher, Fannie Flagg, Lord Halifax, U.S. Attorney General’s Office, George Seldes, Vernon Pope, Sam Goldwyn. 4Zg46 Bound correspondence, 1920s-1960s 4Zg47 Bound correspondence, 1930-1945 4Zg47 Nazis, politicians, miscellaneous. 4Zg48 Bound correspondence, 1940-1949 4Zg48 "Good stuff" 4Zg49 Bound correspondence, 1930-1969 4Zg49 Authors 4Zg50 Bound correspondence, 1940-1964 4Zg50 Sheet music: There’s a Lull in My Life 4Zg50 Collier’s Magazine with Winchell on cover, Nov. 23, 1956 3S36 Photographic prints 3S36 Walter Winchell, Republican National Convention, San Francisco, July, 1964 3S36 Walter Winchell, photographed by Don Pack 3S36 Walter Winchell with group, November 29, 1944 3S36 Walter Winchell receiving award from San Diego Police Officers Association, August 1964 3S36 Winchell with Nick Blair and Molly, 1934