Description
Writings, correspondence, notes, memoranda, radio scripts, and printed matter relating to Radio Free Europe broadcasting to
Eastern Europe, conditions in Eastern Europe and especially in Hungary, and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Includes research
materials used for the books by John P. C. Matthews,
Tinderbox: East-Central Europe in the Spring, Summer, and Early Fall of 1956 (Tucson, 2003) and
Explosion: The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 (New York, 2007).
Background
An American journalist and author, Matthews was born in Princeton, New Jersey and joined Radio Free Europe in August 1951
as a writer and editor, serving through 1959. He eventually became heavily involved with RFE's leaflet and book campaigns,
in particular during the Hungarian revolution in 1956. The papers, totaling 14 boxes, consist of correspondence, writing,
and other materials relating to his time with RFE.
Extent
49 manuscript boxes
(19.6 Linear Feet)
Restrictions
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Availability
Boxes 6, 8-13, 18 and 24 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for
rresearch; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material
in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.