Scope and Content Note
The papers of Edward Vernon ("Eddie") Rickenbacker (1890-1973) span the years 1915-1973. The collection consists of correspondence, speeches, writings, notes, newspaper clippings, printed matter, and other papers chiefly concerning Rickenbacker's career as an aviator and army officer in World War I, chairman of the board of Eastern Air Lines, and civic and political activities, especially after 1960. The papers document his political views and affiliations, including on behalf of conservative causes such as the America First Committee, Committee of One Million Against the Admission of Communist China to the United Nations, Committee for the Monroe Doctrine, the radio program Manion Forum, Conservative Party of New York State, and the John Birch Society. Included also are drafts and related material pertaining to his autobiography, Rickenbacker (1967), and transcriptions of audiotapes made in its preparation. The correspondence is primarily from 1960 to 1973.
The papers are organized into seven series: Correspondence File I, Speech File I, Book File, Miscellany I, Correspondence File II, Speech File II, and Miscellany II.