Call Number:

MC090

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Public Policy Papers

Extent:

9 boxes

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Collection on William F. McCombs, Box and Folder Number; Public Policy Papers, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1910-1948 (inclusive) and 1912-1921 (bulk)

Creator:

Hardy Family, Lyons, Maurice F., and McCombs, William F.

Form:

Correspondence.

Abstract:

The Collection on William F. McCombs contains materials on and by William F. McCombs, a lawyer who was actively involved in Woodrow Wilson's gubernatorial and presidential campaigns. McCombs' secretary, Maurice F. Lyons, provided transcripts of correspondence and notes authored by McCombs to Arthur S. Link, as part of Link's work on The Papers of Woodrow Wilson. Correspondence between Lyons and Link concerning the typescripts is also located in this collection, as well as a set of bound newspaper clippings on Wilson's campaigns and administrations created by McComb's sister.

Biography of the Hardy Family

William F. McCombs's sister, Corinne, married Moses Wilson Hardy in 1913 in Arkansas. Their son, Willaim McCombs Hardy, graduated from Princeton in 1938 as a geology major. He worked as a consulting geologist, founding his own firm in 1955.

Biography of Maurice F. Lyons

Maurice F. Lyons studied shorthand at the Harlem Shorthand School and took liberal art courses at the New York Preparatory School, New York City.

In 1904-05, he was secretary to Richard Barry, American war correspondent with General Nogi during the Japanese-Russo War. A freelance reporter from 1906-1911, he became secretary to William F. McCombs (1911-12) during the prenomination campaign of Woodrow Wilson. McCombs was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during Wilson's presidential campaign of 1912.

Maurice Lyons received his LL.B. degree from Georgetown University in 1916 and published a book entitled William F. McCombs, the President Maker, (Cincinnati, 1922).

Biography of William F. McCombs

William F. (Frank) McCombs was born on December 26, 1875 in Hamburg, Arkansas. He was graduated from Princeton University in the Class of 1898 and obtained an LL.B. from Harvard University in 1901. He was associated with the law firm of McCombs & Ryan in New York City.

In 1910, William McCombs enlisted in Woodrow Wilson's campaign for Governor of New Jersey. In 1911, he worked with members of the Democratic National Committee campaigning to bring about the nomination of Woodrow Wilson for the Presidency. McCombs was elected Chairman of the Democratic National Committee at the request of Woodrow Wilson. He collapsed from overwork in September 1912 but recovered in October 1912, he again managed the campaign which resulted in the election to the Presidency of Governor Wilson. In 1921 William McCombs published a book entitled Making Woodrow Wilson President (New York) describing his campaign experiences. In poor health, he died on February 22, 1921.

The Collection on William F. McCombs contains materials on and by William F. McCombs. It consists of typescripts of correspondence and notes by William F. McCombs regarding Woodrow Wilson's gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, provided to Arthur S. Link, editor of The Papers of Woodrow Wilson by Maurice F. Lyons (correspondence between Lyons and Link concerning the transcripts is also included). Additionally, the collection is comprised of volumes of newspaper clippings also relating to Woodrow Wilson's gubernatorial and presidential campaigns and administrations. The volumes were created by McComb's sister, Corinne Hardy.

The collection includes Maurice F. Lyons' typed notes on William F. McCombs, campaign contributors, and remembrances of others such as William G. McAdoo, Colonel Edward M. House, and Joseph P. Tumulty. Transcripts of correspondence include letters from McCombs to Wilson and McAdoo relating to the presidential campaign and administration of Wilson, 1911-1917, letters relating to Lyons and President Charles Seymour of Yale University regarding a review of Arthur S. Link's book on Wilson and the relationships of McCombs, McAdoo, House, and others (published in the Virginia Quarterly October 29, 1947), and correspondence to and from Josephus Daniels and Lyons relating to a the controversy over McCombs advising Wilson to withdraw from the presidential race at Baltimore. Lyons's original correspondence to Link is interspersed throughout the collection. Also included is a typed copy of Governor Wilson's address at the Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C., January 8, 1912 by Lyons (who was the only reporter present at the time) and a preliminary report of Rolla Wells, Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee dated October 24, 1912, Additionally, the collection includes cartoons relating to Woodrow Wilson and the Democratic Party, as well as photographs and negatives of the Democratic National Convention, Woodrow Wilson, William F. McCombs, William J. Bryan, William R. Hearst, James R. Nugent, James Smith, Jr., Colonel E. M. House and Champ Clark.

Volumes of newspaper clippings from 1912-1921 regarding the Wilson campaigns and administrations are also included in the collection.

Series 1 is arranged alphabetically by subject. Series 2 is arranged chronologically.