J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers

The "View now" link directs to the finding aid only. Please email wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com or call 304-293-3536 for more information about accessing collection A&M 3249 J. Montgomery Curtis, Journalist, Papers, 1891-1992. Papers and photos collected by a historian of journalism, Don E. Carter, about J. Montgomery Curtis, a renowned journalist and newspaper expert from Elm Grove, West Virginia. Curtis was best known as a long time director of the New York-based American Press Institute which was associated with Columbia University. The American Press Institute functioned to offer advice and criticism to journalists and news publications. The last part of his career was spent in Miami working for the Knight newspaper chain, later Knight Ridder newspapers, as a vice president and in-house critic. Most of the collection is comprised of correspondence with colleagues, biographical notes about Curtis, and critiques of practices in the newspaper business. There is much correspondence with John S. Knight evaluating the newspapers he owned, with James H. Ottaway who was a newspaper owner and long time chairman of the board of the American Press Institute, and with Don E. Carter and Malcolm F. Mallette about the history of the American Press Institute. Series include:<lb/> Series 1. Biographical Information, 1956-1989 (Box 1)<lb/> Series 2. Correspondence, 1956-1982 (Boxes 1-3) <lb/> Series 3. Speeches and Writings -- Other Authorship, 1963-1973, undated (Box 3) <lb/> Series 4. Speeches and Writings -- Authored by Curtis, 1964-1982, undated (Box 3) <lb/> Series 5. Subjects -- Associated Press Institute [API], 1891-1983 (Box 3) <lb/> Series 6. Subjects -- General, 1968-1982 (Box 3) <lb/> Series 7. Photographs, 1974-1980 (Box 3) <lb/> Series 8. Photographs -- API -- Workshops, 1973-1974 (Box 3) <lb/> Series 9. Newspaper Critique Files, 1953-1989 (Boxes 3-4) <lb/> Series 10. Books, 1974-1992 (Box 4)