William Frederick Thomas (1924-2014) Papers, 1924-2014

The collection spans 10 boxes from approximately 1945-2008. It includes correspondence, journal entries, awards, newspaper clippings, speeches and writings, as well as VHS tapes and Thomas’s leather briefcase. The largest portion of the collection consists of Thomas’s correspondence, general papers and paraphernalia, speeches, and writings, which fill boxes 1-5.

Series 1. Biographical, 1924-2014. The biographical section of the collection consists of two folders: the first contains internal profile records of Thomas from the Los Angeles Times newsrooms, professional bios circulated in the newsworld, and magazine articles and documents outlining Thomas’ career, saved by Thomas. The second folder contains Thomas’ saved newspaper clippings from the 1940s through 1980s and detail events in his professional and personal life.

Series 2. General, 1930-2000. The general section of the collection contains materials, photographs, and journalism with both personal and professional relevance to Thomas. The collection is organized chronologically and contain a wide variety of materials, including Thomas’s childhood report cards, diplomas, awards, professional interviews and journalism projects, and functions pertaining to Thomas’s retirement from the Los Angeles Times in 1989. Of special interest is Thomas’s files on the unusual case of Caryl Chessman, who was sentenced to death for a string of robberies, kidnappings and rapes. Undated materials are located at the end of this section and are organized chronologically. Undated materials include undated photographs of Thomas; saved copies of his business card, Northwestern University Alumni card, and Los Angeles Times employee ID; and photo negatives.

Series 3. Speeches and Writings, 1958-1999. This section of the collection contains Thomas’s speeches and writings, and includes drafts of his unpublished memoir, short fictional stories written by Thomas, and speeches given by Thomas at events like commencements and Los Angeles Times functions. This section is organized by date, with undated materials organized alphabetically at the end. Thomas saved 3 complete and several partial drafts of his memoir and these records reflect Thomas’s writing process. They also relate professional and personal anecdotes that Thomas considers memorable.

Series 4. Correspondence, 1951-2008. This section of the collection contains correspondence from throughout Thomas’s life. The organization reflects Thomas’s own organizational structures. Sub-series 4.1. General Correspondence, circa 1970-1980s, from Thomas’s time at the Los Angeles Times is organized alphabetically by the last name of the subject and fills three folders. Sub-series 4.2. Correspondence by Last Name, 1951-2008, is organized alphabetically by the last name of the other person. Sub-series 4.3. Correspondence by Subject, circa 1989-1990s, includes a folder containing letters and notes Thomas received on the subject of his retirement from the Los Angeles Times, as well as a folder containing printouts of instant messages from Los Angeles Times employees concerning the subject of Thomas’s quadruple bypass surgery.

Series 5. Audiovisual Materials, 1985-1997. Box 6 contains audiovisual materials including 5 VHS tapes and one cassette tape. The recordings include several of Thomas’s TV appearances and his retirement dinner at the Los Angeles Times.

Series 6. Oversize Materials, 1951-1988. The oversize materials in this collection comprise two boxes Box 7 contains a Bay City Times Newspaper and Sigma Delta Chi Certificate. Box 8 contains Thomas’s red leather briefcase, which is embossed with Thomas’s name. It is unlocked and empty, except for a single quarter from 1965.

Series 7. Photographs, 1957-1966 and undated. This series includes 11 large scale black and white photographs backed on black board. These images are of Thomas and mainly dipict him at work.