Josef Dignan Notebooks, 1945 - 1950

Item — Box: 4259.20

Scope and Contents

This resource consists of three diaries housed in hardbound books: My War with Japan by Carroll Duard Alcott, Audobon's America edited by Donald Culross Peattie, and Look at America by the editors of Look magazine. The notebooks contain entries that appear to be a fictionalized autobiography with bits and pieces of other stories appearing on loose papers placed in the notebooks. Other loose items include newspaper articles relating to Louisville, Kentucky, programs for plays and concerts, letters, and photographs.

Dates

1945 - 1950

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Access to portions of this collection has been restricted by Archives and Special Collections in order to preserve the original materials. Contact University Libraries Special Collections at archives@ua.edu or 205.348.0500 for information on access to the restricted portions of this collection.

Biographical / Historical

John Joseph Dignan was born April 14, 1915, to Catherine and Thomas Dignan. He lived in Louisville, Kentucky and worked as a book critic for The Courier-Journal. Mr. Dignan died January 20, 1992.

Extent

From the Collection: 20.4 Linear Feet (20 containers)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

The diary located in the My War With Japan binding was formerly the Carroll Alcott Papers (MSS.2138). The diaries located in the Audobon's America and Look at America bindings were formerly a file within the Wade Hall Small Manuscript Collections, Twentieth Century (MSS.3965). Once all three of the notebooks were identified as authored by Josef Dignan, they were placed together in the Wade Hall Collection of Diaries and Scrapbooks by Jessica Rayman in August 2019.