Personal papers of Louis La Coss
Overview
This collection consists of a scrapbook of correspondence and associated newspaper clippings with Charles Clayton in Taipei, Taiwan, 1961 to 1962; uncorrected proofs of Baruch: The Public Years; and a scrapbook of the TWA World Press Tour of 1950.
Dates
- Creation: 1950 - 1962
Creator
- La Coss, Louis, 1890-1966 (Author, Person)
Language of Materials
Materials in English, French, Italian, Spanish.
Conditions Governing Access
These materials are stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area.
All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) no less than three days in advance of a planned visit. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Louis La Coss
Louis La Coss was born January 8, 1890 in Erie, Pennsylvania to William and Caroline La Coss. The family moved to Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, where Louis graduated from the local high school. The family later moved to Lawrence, Kansas, and Louis and his sister both received Bachelor's degrees from the University of Kansas at Lawrence.
La Coss' writing career started at the University of Kansas when he became the first editor of the University Daily Kansan in 1912. After receiving his bachelor's degree in journalism in 1911 or 1912, La Coss moved to California to work for the San Diego Sun. After just one year, he returned to the Midwest to work for the Kansas City Star. After a brief year, he transfered to the Parsons Sun in southeastern Kansas.
In 1915, La Coss moved to the Associated Press where he was employed until 1923. During his last three years with the AP, he worked as the Mexico correspondent. In 1923, he moved to the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat where he stayed on until his retirement in 1958.
During his time at the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat, La Coss covered national politics. In 1936, he became editor of the editorial page of the newspaper. In 1950, La Coss was one of 35 reporters chosen to travel around the world on the TWA inagural world press tour. In 1952, La Coss received a Pulitzer Prize for his article "The Low State of Public Morals" published in the paper in 1951.
La Coss retired from the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat in 1958. He passed away on Feburary 17, 1966 at the age of 76.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet (1 document case + 1 oversize box)
Scope and Contents
Charles C. Clayton was visiting professor at the National Chengchi University in Taiwan from 1961 to 1962. La Coss and Clayton frequently corresponded with one another, sending interesting newspaper clippings and updates on their personal lives.
Baruch: The Public Years was being edited by La Coss in 1960. An article found inside the uncorrected proofs paints a clearer picture of Bernard Mannes Baruch, American financier and economic adviser to U.S. Presidents, at age 90.
La Coss participated on the Trans World Airlines inagural world press tour in 1950. A group of 35 newspaper reporters were chosen to participate in a two-week tour of Western Europe. Destinations included Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Milan, Dublin, and Paris. La Coss documented this experience by collecting brochures, pictures, and newspaper clippings and compiling them into a scrapbook.
Physical Location
PP 76
Physical Location
Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)
Subject
- Title
- Guide to the Louis La Coss Collection
- Subtitle
- Personal papers of Louis La Coss
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by eml, 2013. Finding aid encoded by eml, 2013. Finding aid revised by mwh, 2021.
- Date
- 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/2013651899
- Preferred citation
-
Personal papers of Louis La Coss, PP 76, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository