James H. McCartney Papers
Collection
Identifier: GTM-120103
The James H. McCartney papers document the life and career of longtime American journalist James H. McCartney, a noted correspondent with Knight-Ridder newspapers. Personal files concern his family, his education, his military service during World War II, and his memoirs. Professional files trace his career from his time with the "South Bend Tribune" through his extensive travels throughout Europe and the Middle East covering diplomatic and international issues into the 21st century. Numerous clippings of newspaper articles by McCartney in addition to teletypes from his coverage of various news stories are retained.
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Longtime American journalist James H. McCartney was born on July 25, 1925, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Floyd and Cora McCartney. He received a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1949 and an M.S.J. from Northwestern University in 1952. He was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University from 1963-1964. McCartney served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946.
James H. McCartney began his career as a reporter for the "South Bend Tribune" from 1949-1950. Next, he worked as a public relations staffer at Michigan State University from 1951-1952. Then, McCartney was reporter, city editor, and Washington correspondent for the "Chicago Daily News" from 1952-1968. McCartney was co-winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1955.
In 1968, McCartney became a Washington correspondent for Knight-Ridder Newspapers and covered domestic politics, foreign affairs, and defense policy. He traveled widely and became a respected journalist. He was a Washington correspondent for over 30 years and reported from more than 30 countries. He directed the White House press relation studies from 1973-1974. At different points in his career, McCartney taught at several institutions, including Northwestern University, American University, and Georgetown University. He received the Edward Weintal Prize for Diplomatic Reporting from Georgetown University in 1989. He was an active member in the Gridiron Club.
In 1952, McCartney married Jule Graham. Their children were Robert J. McCartney and Sharon J. McCartney. The marriage ended in divorce, and MCartney later married Molly Sinclair McCartney.
James H. McCartney died on May 6, 2011, in Holmes Beach Florida.
[Sources: "Contemporary Authors" Online 2011. "Washington Post" May 8, 2011, p. C07.]
25.83 Cubic Feet (59 boxes)
English
The James H. McCartney papers are arranged into six series: Series I. Personal Files; Series II. Professional Files; Series III. Computer Media; Series IV. Correspondence; Series V. Clippings and Teletypes; and Series VI. Objects and Ephemera.
Gift of Molly McCartney, 2012.
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository