Fonds consists of correspondence with such persons as Arthur Meighen, John Diefenbaker, Louis St. Laurent, Mackenzie King, Lester Pearson, Max Beaverbrook, Donald Gordon, I. Norman Smith and Gordon Fairweather, notes, speeches, and articles. Also included in this fonds are transcripts of radio talks given by Grattan O'Leary to the Canadian Broadcasting Chain, 1931-1932 and a Newspaper Hall of Fame Award, 1967. The fonds also contains photographs depicting formal occasions attended by Grattan O'Leary in Canada and the U.S.; G. O'Leary as recepient of awards and testimonials; his activities and those of his sons during World War II. In addition, there are sound recordings covering certain political speeches by G. O'Leary on behalf of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada and memories of his childhood and career as a newspaperman, 1936-1976.
O'Leary, Grattan, 1888-1976 : Michael Gratton O'Leary, born in 1888 at Percé, Que., left school at age twelve, and worked for nine years in the lumberyaids, as an oiler on a coastal ship, in a brewery, and as a storekeeper. In 1909, he was hired as a reporter by S.D. Scott, the editor of the Saint-John Standard and thus began his journalism career.
In 1911, O'Leary became a reporter for the Ottawa Journal. Except for 1925 when he ran unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate for the riding of Gaspé, O'Leary remained with the Journal. He became associate editor in 1932, vice-president in 1949, and president in 1957. He retired as president in 1966 and became editor emeritus. In 1960-1961, he was Chairman of the Royal Commission on Publications. Then in 1962, O'Leary was summoned to the Senate where he served until his death in 1976. In 1967, O'Leary was named to the Newspaper Hall of Fame, and named rector of Queen's University.
See also: The Canadian Directory of Parliament, 1867-1967, 1968, and Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1975, 1976.
