Commonweal Records

Fonds

Identifier: CWL

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Editorial correspondence (1976-1989), original manuscripts accepted for publication (1967-1984), unused articles (1979-1983), financial records (1926-1978), subscription lists (1979 and 1982-1983), and photographs.

Also material on the Charles E. Curran controversy, Synods of Bishops (1984-1989), and editorial correspondence (1938) relating to the journal's controversial stand on the Spanish Civil War, along with copies of speeches and biographical notes (ca. 1930) by Michael Williams, one of the founders and first editor of Commonweal.

Principal correspondents include staff members James O'Gara, Edward S. Skillin, John Deedy, and Wilfrid Sheed, and contributors Daniel and Philip Berrigan, Phil Berryman, James Burtchaell, Bernard Cooke, Robert F. Drinan, John Druska, John Tracy Ellis, Andrew Greeley, Mary Gordon, Michael Harrington, Robert Hoyt, George G. Higgins, Eugene Kennedy, Saul Maloff, Martin Marty, Carey McWilliams, Abigail McCarthy, Michael Novak, David Riesman, Philip Scharper, William V. Shannon, and Gordon Zahn. Much of the editorial correspondence is routine, such as requests for book reviews.

Dates

Creation: 1926-[ongoing]

Creator

Commonweal (Organization)

Language of Materials

English.

Conditions Governing Access

Restricted by contract.

Background

Journal founded in 1924 to express the outlook of the Catholic laity on public affairs, literature, and the arts. Over the years, Commonweal has come to concentrate on political and social issues, along with theological questions and the activities of the Catholic hierarchy.