Mitchell Stephens Papers, 1936 - 2022

Summary

Creator:
Mitchell Stephens
Abstract:
Published in 2017, The Voice of America: Lowell Thomas and the Invention of 20th Century Journalism by Mitchell Stephens is the first completed biography ever written on Lowell Thomas, an innovative journalist of the 20th century. The Mitchell Stephens Papers Collection includes research materials and drafts for the biography.
Extent:
6.25 Linear Feet 15 Boxes 269 Folders
Language:
Material is in English
Preferred citation:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number ], in the Mitchell Stephens Papers, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of materials created or saved by Mitchell Stephens, including his manuscript drafts and notes for The Voice of America: Lowell Thomas and the Invention of 20th Century Journalism, as well as articles on journalism and communication. Much of the collection consists of copies from the Lowell Thomas Collection at Marist College that have been annotated by Stephens. The collection also includes correspondence between Stephens and Richard Moulton and Anne T. Donaghy.

Biographical / historical:

Mitchell Stephens was born on August 16, 1949 in New York City. Stephens is a NYU Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication and author of numerous articles and 8 books including The New York Times "Notable Book of the Year,” A History of News. Before working on The Voice of America, Mitchell Stephens was interviewed by director Richard Moulton on a documentary he was doing on Lowell Thomas. Mitchell Stephens would work with Moulton again on the documentary Voice of America: Lowell Thomas and the Rise of Broadcast News (2019) in which Anne T. Donaghy, the granddaughter of Lowell Thomas, was an executive producer. While conducting projects with Richard Moulton, Mitchell Stephens began researching and writing The Voice of America. Stephens began researching and drafting the Lowell Thomas biography in 2014. While researching for the Lowell Thomas biography, Mitchell Stephens traveled to Ohio, Colorado, Yukon, Alaska and many of the same places Lowell Thomas visited and reported. Although Stephens did not read the manuscript drafts, he would consult the outline of the unfinished Lowell Thomas biography by Fred Crawford as the basis for his own book. Stephens would also consult many original materials including journals, travelogues, correspondences, photographs, and footage within the Lowell Thomas Collection at the Archives and Special Collections at Marist College.

Acquisition information:
Collection was donated to Marist College Archives and Special Collections by Mitchell Stephens on December 1, 2022.
Arrangement:

These records are organized into 6 series: 1) Manuscript Drafts, 2) Research Materials, 2.1) Chapter 1. A Portrait of the Journalist as a Young Cowboy, 2.2) Chapter 2. Two Scoops in Chicago, 2.3) Chapter 3. See America First, 2.4) Chapter 4. Too Good to Be True 2.5) Chapter 5. Something More Colossal Than Anything of its Kind Ever Tried, 2.6) Chapter 6. A Blue-Eyed, Beardless Man in Arab Robes, 2.7) Chapter 7. Come with Me to the Land of History, Mystery and Romance, 2.8) Chapter 8. How Dull It Is to Pause 2.9) Chapter 9. Having the Ear of America, 2.10) Chapter 10. The Voice of God, 2.11) Chapter 11. Catching Up with the War, 2.12) Chapter 12. The Very Roof of the World, 2.13) Chapter 13. An Entirely New Form of Entertainment, 2.15) Chapter 14. To Strive, To Seek, To Find and Not to Yield, 2.15) Additional Materials, 3) Correspondence, 4) Maps, 5) Photographs, 6) Digital Materials, 6.1) Manuscripts and Research Materials, 6.2) Lowell Thomas Photographs from Richard Moulton.

Accruals:

No accruals are expected.

Physical / technical requirements:

Collection contains digital materials on a USB external hard drive which must be accessed with a computer.

Physical location:
Please contact the Marist College Archives and Special Collections for information regarding use and access of this collection.
Rules or conventions:
DACS Describing Archives: A Content Standard. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2013.

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

Individuals requesting reproductions expressly assume the responsibility for compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. ss101 et seq. Patrons further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Marist College Archives and Special Collections and its staff in connection with any disputes arising from the Copyright Act, over the reproduction of material at the request of patrons. For more information please visit the following website: http://www.loc.gov/copyright/title17/.

Preferred citation:

[Description of item, date, location of item in order of series, box number, folder number ], in the Mitchell Stephens Papers, Archives and Special Collections, James A. Cannavino Library, Marist College.

Location of this collection:
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
845-575-3364
library.archives@marist.edu