Guide to the Charles Sparks Thomas papers MS.R.003

Finding aid prepared by Carole McEwan, 2012. Updated by Zoe MacLeod, 2022.

Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries

(cc) 2022

The UCI Libraries

P.O. Box 19557

University of California, Irvine

Irvine 92623-9557

spcoll@uci.edu

URL: http://special.lib.uci.edu

Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries

Title: Charles Sparks Thomas papers

Creator: Thomas, Charles Sparks

Identifier/Call Number: MS.R.003

Physical Description: 34.6 Linear Feet (69 boxes)

Date (inclusive): 1946-1966

Abstract: This collection consists of the personal papers of Charles Sparks Thomas (1897-1983), who served as Secretary of the Navy (1954-1957), President of Trans World Airlines (1958-1960), and President of The Irvine Company (1960-1966). The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence as well as personal and business files for the years 1946 through 1966.

Language of Material: English .

Access

The collection has not been processed. It may contain restricted materials. Please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access.

Publication Rights

Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred Citation

Charles Sparks Thomas papers. MS-R003. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Historical Background

Charles Sparks Thomas was born in Independence, Missouri and he attended the University of California, Berkeley and Cornell University. Thomas was President of Foreman & Clark, Inc., a men's clothing chain, between 1937 and 1953. During World War II, he served in the administration of the Navy Department. In 1954 Thomas became undersecretary of the Navy, then secretary of the Navy between 1954 and 1957. He returned to business as president of TWA in 1958 and became president of The Irvine Company in 1960. Thomas has been active in Republican politics at the state and national levels. His interviews focus on his management of Foreman & Clark, building a material organization during the war, becoming secretary of the Navy, his friendship with Howard Hughes, involvement with TWA, the plight of scheduled airlines, and organization of The Irvine Company for land development in Orange County.

Collection Scope and Content Summary

This collection consists of the personal papers of Charles Sparks Thomas (1897-1983), who served as Secretary of the Navy (1954-1957), President of Trans World Airlines (1958-1960), and President of The Irvine Company (1960-1966). The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence as well as personal and business files for the years 1946 through 1966.

Preliminary inventory

box 1

Box 1 1946-1966

box 2

Box 2 1946-1966

box 3

Box 3 1946-1966

box 4

Box 4 1946-1966

box 5

Box 5 1946-1966

box 6

Box 6 1946-1966

box 7

Box 7 1946-1966

box 8

Box 8 1946-1966

box 9

Box 9 1946-1966

box 10

Box 10 1946-1966

box 11

Box 11 1946-1966

box 12

Box 12 1946-1966

box 13

Box 13 1946-1966

box 14

Box 14 1946-1966

box 15

Box 15 1946-1966

box 16

Box 16 1946-1966

box 17

Box 17 1946-1966

box 18

Box 18 1946-1966

box 19

Box 19 1946-1966

box 20

Box 20 1946-1966

box 21

Box 21 1946-1966

box 22

Box 22 1946-1966

box 23

Box 23 1946-1966

box 24

Box 24 1946-1966

box 25

Box 25 1946-1966

box 26

Box 26 1946-1966

box 27

Box 27 1946-1966

box 28

Box 28 1946-1966

box 29

Box 29 1946-1966

box 30

Box 30 1946-1966

box 31

Box 31 1946-1966

box 32

Box 32 1946-1966

box 33

Box 33 1946-1966

box 34

Box 34 1946-1966

box 35

Box 35 1946-1966

box 36

Box 36 1946-1966

box 37

Box 37 1946-1966

box 38

Box 38 1946-1966

box 39

Box 39 1946-1966

box 40

Box 40 1946-1966

box 41

Box 41 1946-1966

box 42

Box 42 1946-1966

box 43

Box 43 1946-1966

box 44

Box 44 1946-1966

box 45

Box 45 1946-1966

box 46

Box 46 1946-1966

box 47

Box 47 1946-1966

box 48

Box 48 1946-1966

box 49

Box 49 1946-1966

box 50

Box 50 1946-1966

box 51

Box 51 1946-1966

box 52

Box 52 1946-1966

box 53

Box 53 1946-1966

box 54

Box 54 1946-1966

box 55

Box 55 1946-1966

box 56

Box 56 1946-1966

box 57

Box 57 1946-1966

box 58

Box 58 1946-1966

box 59

Box 59 1946-1966

box 60

Box 60 1946-1966

box 61

Box 61 1946-1966

box 62

Box 62 1946-1966

box 63

Box 63 1946-1966

box 64

Box 64 1946-1966

box 65

Box 65 1946-1966

box 66

Box 66 1946-1966

box 67

Box 67 1946-1966

box 68

Box 68 1946-1966

box 69

Box 69 1946-1966