Papers of Max Miller, La Jolla (California) author and reporter for the San Diego Sun. Miller is best known for his book I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1932), the first of nearly twenty books on subjects including the modern U.S. military, Southern California, and Baja California (Mexico). His travel book THE CRUISE OF THE COW (1951) records his exploration of the Baja California coasts. The collection contains correspondence with colleagues, friends, and family, especially letters (1950 - 1953) from his wife written during his service in the Korean War; photographs of Miller and others; newspaper clippings of articles by Miller, about Miller, and reviews of his several books; and typescripts, including drafts of THE CRUISE OF THE COW and FROM THESE WINDOWS (1955), as well as unpublished works. Also included are notebooks for several of Miller's books, including I COVER THE WATERFRONT and THE FAR SHORE (1945); miscellaneous personal items; and ephemera. The papers span Max Miller's writing career, with the bulk of the materials dating from the 1940s and 1950s.

Max Miller (1899-1967) was born in Traverse City, Michigan. After attending the University of Washington, Miller wrote for the EVERETT DAILY NEWS, then took a job in San Diego as a waterfront reporter for the SAN DIEGO SUN. He became an active member of the La Jolla, California community, where he lived with his wife, Margaret Ripley Miller, until his death in December 1967. Miller left newspaper writing after publishing his best-selling book, I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1932), and continued to publish a book annually over the next twenty years. His subjects often included the modern U.S. military and the regions of Southern California and Baja California (Mexico). Miller served as a writer and information gatherer for the U.S. Naval Department Office of Public Information during World War II and the Korean War.

3.50 linear feet (8 archive boxes and 3 oversize folders)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Collection is open for research.