Frank Nye Papers

Collection

Identifier: MsC0437

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The papers of Frank T. Nye consist of 18.5 linear feet of manuscripts dating from 1942 to 1983. The collection, which relates primarily to Nye's career in journalism, is organized in five separate series: 1) Correspondence and Photographs; 2) Individuals and Subjects; 3) Iowa; 4) Professional Writings, and; 5) Personal. There is also an addendum containing material on a variety of subjects which was given at a later date. Each series is arranged chronologically within an alphabetical sequence.

Series one consists of three boxes of correspondence and one box of photographs. Included are letters from: James E. Bromwell, John C. Culver, Jay N. Darling, John M. Henry, Bourke B. Hickenlooper, Harold E. Hughes, Herschel C. Loveless, Jack Miller, Robert D. Ray, Tom Riley, Fred Schwengel, David O. Schaff, and Harrison Weber. The individual and subject series is made up of folders relating to specific people and topics. The individuals include Dick Clark and John Culver to H.R. Gross and James Leach or Harold E. Hughes and Robert D. Ray to Herbert Hoover and Ronald Reagan. Subjects range from education and busing to alcohol abuse and highways.

The third series "Iowa" consists of eight and a half boxes of subject files relating to reapportionment, Iowa politics, the legislature, the University of Iowa, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Nye's professional writings are found in the next section. There are thirteen and a half boxes documenting his work in print. Included are stories he did for the New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, and other major national publications. There is also manuscript material pertaining to his Herbert Hoover book. His personal papers include appointment books and certificates. The 1988 addendum primarily consist of newspapers clippings relating to the 63rd through the 67th Iowa General Assemblies.

Dates

Creation: 1942-1983

Creator

Nye, Frank (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research. This collection is stored at an offsite location. When requesting materials, please allow two business days for items to arrive at the Special Collections reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Frank Nye was born in Clarinda, Iowa, on November 27, 1912. He graduated from high school in Shenandoah, Iowa, and earned his BA, in journalism, from the University of Iowa in 1936. A newspaperman, Nye's career began in 1930 with a job as a reporter for the Shenandoah Evening Sentinel. He subsequently worked for the Clinton Herald, Look magazine, the Des Moines Register, International News Service, and the Iowa City Press Citizen. Nye joined the staff of the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1943, as the associate editor and political writer, after serving four years as news director of the Iowa Daily Press Association. He retired from the Gazette in 1980. Nye covered Iowa's political scene for the newspaper and played a key role in achieving fair reapportionment in Iowa. He was chairman of the Governor's Reapportionment Action Committee from 1957 -- 1961. Among Nye's many professional honors was the Iowa Press Association's Master Editor-Publisher Award in 1977, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Daily Press Association in 1982. Nye's two great passions have been recognized with awards bearing his name. The Cedar Rapids Gazette sponsors the annual Frank Nye Junior Tennis Tournament, while the Iowa Newspaper Association sponsors the Frank Nye Writing Award.

Nye was active in civic affairs. He was a past president of the Cedar Rapids Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Cedar Rapids Lions Club as well as the Buchanan School PTA and the Cedar Rapids Tennis Association. He was active with the University of Iowa Alumni Association and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.

Frank Nye died suddenly on March 26, 1983, at the age of seventy.

Extent

18.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Reporter and editor for The Cedar Rapids Gazette. Correspondence, subject files, and photographs relating to Nye's career with the Gazette. Includes information on Iowa politics and legislature, reapportionment, Herbert Hoover, and copies of articles written by Nye.