Manuscript Division Tom J. Geraghty Papers

Tom J. Geraghty Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS22145

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Thomas Jefferson Geraghty (1883-1945) consist of correspondence, notes, printed matter, articles, scripts, cartoons, and photographs covering the period 1923-1965, with most of the items dated between 1923 and 1940. The papers relate to Geraghty's career as a screenwriter and journalist, his personal life, and his friendships with film personalities, including George Ade, Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939), W. C. Fields, and Mary Pickford. Of particular interest are typewritten transcripts of letters from Geraghty to Julian Street that reveal Geraghty's impressions of the film industry and those with whom he worked. Other correspondents include Geraghty's son, Maurice Geraghty, as well as L. Wolfe Gilbert, Grover Jones, Gertrude Lawrence, and Booth Tarkington. Included in the collection is a file on motion picture director, writer, and artist Norman Z. McLeod. Portions of the collection were annotated by Geraghty's daughter, Sheila Gladys Geraghty.

Dates

Creation: 1923-1965
Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1923-1940)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

The papers of Tom J. Geraghty are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.

Copyright Status

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Tom J. Geraghty is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Biographical Note

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1883, Apr. 10: Born, Rushville, Ind.
1902: Managing editor, Rushville Republican
1910 - circa 1918: Reporter, New York Herald and New York Tribune
circa 1916 - circa 1920: Writer, Famous Players-Lasky studio, Hollywood, Calif.; Scenario editor and writer for Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939)
1920 - 1922: Head of production, Famous Players-Lasky studios in New York, N.Y., and London, England
1922: Returned to Hollywood, Calif.
1920s - 1930s: Wrote screenplays for various studios including Famous Players-Lasky Corp. and First National Productions Corp.
1929: Member, board of governors, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
circa 1933 - 1939: Worked in British motion picture industry, London, England
circa 1942 - circa 1945: Headed Bureau of Censorship, United States Office of War Information, Hollywood, Calif.
1945, June 5: Died, Hollywood, Calif.

Extent

250 items
1 container
1 oversize
4 linear feet

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Additional Description

Abstract

Journalist, motion picture producer, and screenwriter. Correspondence, notes, articles, scripts, printed matter, cartoons, and photographs relating to Geraghty's career as a screenwriter, producer, and journalist, his personal life, and his friendships with film personalities.

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material and therein chronologically. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.

Catalog Record

https://lccn.loc.gov/mm81022145

Provenance

The papers of Tom J. Geraghty, journalist, motion picture producer, and screenwriter, were given to the Library of Congress by his daughter, Sheila Gladys Geraghty, between 1958 and 1966.