Letters, Mss. of his writings and speeches; subject files; scrapbooks; and clippings, relating primarily to his political career as U.S. Senator from California, 1939-1950, with information on his investigation of the Central Valley Project.

Included also are a few papers relating to his father, Stephen Wheeler Downey, and other members of the Downey and Owen families.

Sheridan Downey was born in Laramie, Wyoming in 1884, the son of Evangeline Victoria (Owen) and Stephen Wheeler Downey. He was educated in the public schools there and was graduated from the University of Michigan in 1907. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and returned to Laramie to practice law. In 1913 he moved to Sacramento where he continued his law career. He made several unsuccessful attempts to win election to public office including a campaign for lieutenant governor in 1934. In 1938 he was elected to the United States Senate and served until his resignation, November 30, 1950. He then practiced law in Washington, D.C. until his death in 1961.

Number of containers: 5 boxes, 6 cartons, and 9 volumes

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Collection is open for research.