Cray (Ed) Papers, 1967-1996

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Summary

Title:
Ed Cray Papers,
Dates:
1967-1996
Creators:
Cray, Ed
Abstract:
Edward Cray (1933- ) was an instructor in folklore and folksong at UCLA (1958-60), associate editor and business manager for Frontier magazine (1961-64), director of publications for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California (1965-70), associate professor (1976-90), then in 1991 professor of journalism at the University of Southern California, and author of several books. The collection consists of manuscripts and research files for several books by Cray.
Extent:
48 boxes (24 linear ft.) 1 oversize box
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ed Cray Papers (Collection 2031). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of manuscripts and research files for several books by author Ed Cray. Includes galley proofs, correspondence, photographs, reports, clippings, memoranda, production materials, subject files, Levi Strauss & Co. annual reports, and audiotapes of interviews. Research files compiled and used by Cray for his book, The Big Blue Line are part of the ACLU Foundation of Southern California Records (Collection 900), Boxes 178-183.

Biographical / historical:

Edward Cray was born July 3, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio; BA (1957), graduate study (1958-59), University of California, Los Angeles; instructor in folklore and folksong, University of California, Los Angeles, 1958-60; associate editor and business manager, Frontier, 1961-64; director of publications, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, 1965-70; associate professor (1976-90), then in 1991 professor of journalism, University of Southern California; author of several books, including The Big Blue Line: Police Power versus Human Rights (1967), The Enemy in the Streets (1972), The Burden of Proof: The Case of Juan Corona (1973); Levi's: The History of Levi Strauss & Co. (1978), Chrome Colossus: General Motors and its Times (1981), and General of the Army George C. Marshall, Soldier and Statesman (1990).

Biographical Narrative

Ed Cray is a writer about the Los Angeles scene, with articles printed in magazines such as Coast; and has written books arising out of his interest in the American Civil Liberties Union. The files collected for research for The Big Blue Line: Police Power vs. Human Rights and the manuscript and galley proofs to that book form the first part of the collection of his papers at UCLA. That book was written while publications director of the Southern California branch of ACLU.

In The Big Blue Line, Mr. Cray wrote, In the gray area between reasonable belief and sufficient evidence most police practice and legal decisions are born. He continued this concern with reasonable belief and reasonable doubt with his next book, about the Juan Vallejo Corona murder trial. A list of possible titles considered by Mr. Cray--The Burden of Proof, A Reasonable Doubt, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, The Presumption of Innocence, Presumed Innocent--suggests the significance he gave to the case in working with Juan Corona's defense attorney, Richard Hawk, in telling more of the story of Juan Corona than is available in transcripts or in the many articles written as coverage of the trial itself. Cray saw in the case not merely the appeal of a sensational murder trial, but the possibilities for examining the American jury system.

Juan Corona was indicted for the murder of twenty-five indigent workers, found buried on the J.R. Sullivan Ranch, near Yuba City, California, in 1971. He was convicted of the murders in 1973, although the case is still being appealed.

Mr. Cray kept subject files about various aspects of the case and on most of the people involved. These are here retained with the headings given by Mr. Cray for his own use. In addition, he collected copies of all official investigation reports, crime lab reports, and transcripts of the trial, including transcripts of hearings in chambers and various writs. Most of these documents bear notes or markings by Mr. Cray. Many of the trial transcripts have pages of notes kept with them.

Since the material covers the period of the investigations in 1971, the indictment and trial, which ended in 1973, there has been no attempt made to provide exhaustive dating for items in the various subject file folders.

by Dan Luckenbill

January 1974

Acquisition information:
Gift of Ed Cray, 1968-97.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. The Big Blue Line manuscript and galley proofs (Box 1).
  2. Burden of Proof and Juan Corona trial materials (Boxes 2-15,44 oversize).
  3. The Enemy in the Streets manuscript and galley proofs (Boxes 16-17).
  4. In Failing Health manuscript (Box 17).
  5. Levi's research materials, manuscripts and proofs (Boxes 18-23).
  6. General Motors history research materials (Boxes 24-43).
  7. General of the Army George C. Marshall, Soldier and Statesman (Boxes 45-49).
  8. Warren Commission interviews.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Dan Luckenbill; machine-readable finding aid created by Genie Guerard and Caroline Cubé
Date Prepared:
© 1998
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from database containing container list structure and data, encoding added via MS Access or other program; frontmatter gathered from MARC record. Date of source: September 29, 1997 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Terms of access:

Copyright to portions of this collection has been assigned to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. The library can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or quote must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian, Department of Special Collections.] Credit shall be given as follows: © The Regents of the University of California on behalf of the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ed Cray Papers (Collection 2031). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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