The papers of Frances G. Knight (1905-1999) span the years 1955-1977 and consist largely of photocopies of official records and personal files relating exclusively to Knight’s directorship of the Passport Office of the Department of State during that period. Included are copies of correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, speeches and statements, transcripts of government hearings, miscellaneous subject material and administrative documents, and clippings pertaining to her tenure as head of the agency from the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower through the presidency of Gerald Ford. The collection is organized into six series: Personal File , Chronological File , Subject File , Administrative Instructions , Speech File , and Clippings .

Knight was noted for her efforts to combat fraud and promote efficiency in the handling of passports, but was also controversial for denying passports to individuals with Communist connections or leftist leanings. A public feud with Abba P. Schwartz, appointed administrator of Security and Consular Affairs in the State Department by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, led to his resignation four years later when Knight’s allies in the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee sided with her in disputes over Schwartz’s more liberal policies in regard to passport and visa issuance. The papers treat these issues from her perspective, including as she represented herself within her bureau and department and in speeches and hearings before Congress and the public. Also present are clippings reflecting newspaper accounts of her positions and the discussions and controversies they aroused.