Hollis Mosher papers (Ms. 2009.004)

The Mosher papers consist of correspondence, writings, research materials, and personal items related to the life and work of Hollis Malcolm Mosher. The majority of the materials in this collection are from the period of his life following his service in World War II. These materials reflect his undercover work in extremist organizations on behalf of various federal and state government agencies in the United States and his political and social activism. The correspondence series contains dozens of letters to editors on various topics, letters to elected officials, also some letters to editors written in response to Mosher’s letters. Mosher’s writings fall into three main types: autobiographical writings, reports and notes on political issues, and fiction. Among the autobiographical writings are two finished pieces (A Report of a Political Out Rider and I Replaced Herbert Philbrick as a C.I. in the Communist Party USA), as well as folders containing notes, research materials, and drafts for various chapters of an autobiographical life story. The materials relating to his life story also include correspondence and subpoenas from the United States Department of Justice Subversive Activities Control Board and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission on Communism and Subversive Activities. Two folders are of particular interest: the Kennedy Investigation folder contains Kennedy assassination postcards, bibliographical materials, and Mosher’s research notes about the event, while the Cover Blown folder contains news articles about Hollis Mosher and his undercover work. Mosher’s writings about political issues cover topics such as sexual politics, racism, and the Ku Klux Klan. Finally, there are two folders containing chapters and notes from what appears to be the beginnings of a political romance novel called The King is Dead, Long Live the King, which is set in the northeast (especially Boston and Philadelphia) in the 1950s and 60s. After his service in the war, Mosher’s work focused on research and activism. The subject files that Mosher put together reflect his devotion to issues involving disabilities, recycling, and toxic waste. Also among this section are notes and reports from Mosher’s undercover work, newsletters and publications from activist groups and secret societies, news clippings, magazine articles, and a photograph of war-torn Manila during World War II. The items of a more personal nature that are in the Mosher collection are his baby book, a logo embosser, photo albums, Mosher family recipes, and a folder of documents and memorabilia from his service in the US Coast Guard-Merchant Marine (official documents, cards, awards, certificates, news clippings, one with photograph of Mosher).