Series 3. Douglas MacArthur.

The D. Clayton James papers contain records primarily of James’ academic activities from 1964 to 1996, focusing particularly on his publications. Among the types of materials included are research files and copies of documents, correspondence, manuscripts and publications, photographs, microfilm, and audio and videotapes.

The papers are divided into seven series. The first is the Antebellum Natchez series. It consists of materials relating to James’ dissertation which became his first book. Included are research materials and copies of documents—many on photographic negatives—maps, newspapers and other publications documenting pre-Civil War Natchez, Mississippi. There are also copies of his dissertation manuscript and the manuscript of the book, as well as correspondence with the publisher, Louisiana State University Press.

The second group of materials, the William Brougher series, contains items relating to the diary of General Brougher which James edited. These include a bibliography and index, as well as copies of the manuscript and galley proofs. There is also correspondence with Mrs. Brougher and The University of Georgia Press.

The third series is the largest and concerns materials relating to General Douglas MacArthur. Included are files compiled during James’ research for the three volumes of The Years of MacArthur, comprising copies of documents from various archives—some on microfilm, photographic negatives, and as photographs. It contains transcripts of interviews conducted with MacArthur’s subordinates and contemporaries, publications and copies of publications on World War II and the occupation of Japan, and includes a videotape, maps, photographs, and James’ research index cards for Volumes I and II. There is also James’ correspondence with archives and interviewees, and the publisher and readers of the MacArthur biography. Copies of the manuscripts and printers’ proofs of Volumes I and II can be found in this series. As the authority on MacArthur, James acted as consultant to movie and television projects between 1974 and 1976. One file of correspondence and a videotape copy of the Douglas MacArthur episode from the BBC’s ‘The Commanders’ are in this series. The ‘MacArthur’ movie files include correspondence with Universal Studios and producer Frank McCarthy, James’ critique and newspaper articles. There are also scripts and changes and additions to the script over the months of shooting. Film cassettes, videotape and audio tapes document James’ interviews on NBC’s “Today”, “MSU Magazine”, and Voice of America.

The fourth series concerns the other publications authored by James. There is correspondence relating to three books—A Time for Giants, From Pearl Harbor to V-J Day, and America and the Great War, 1914-1920—and manuscript material for the latter. Copies of all his chapters and articles, papers and book reviews are included, along with correspondence and the abstracts he wrote for Historical Abstracts in the early 1960s.

The fifth group is the Teaching Materials series and consists of course notes and reading lists compiled while a history professor at Mississippi State University and Virginia Military Institute, as well as the U.S. Army War College and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

The sixth series, American Committee on the History of the Second World War/World War Two Studies Association, consists of correspondence related to this organization during James’ involvement, along with copies of the association’s newsletter.

The last group of materials is the Miscellaneous series. This includes James’ resume and a file on Mississippi State University’s Society of University Fellows. It also contains transcripts and audio cassette tapes of a series of narratives James recorded for a travel company undertaking tours of World War II sites in the Pacific. The series contains a number of publications including State Department releases and copies of Current History published by the New York Times during and after World War I. A poster of Lt. General Lewis Puller and some prints of 19th century American fortifications and modern Marine Corps uniforms are also included.