Clifford L. Alderman Papers, 1950-1991: Finding Aid

Biography of Clifford L. Alderman

Clifford Lindsey Alderman was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 5, 1902. Alderman, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1924, resigned from naval service, June 4, 1924. In 1942 he re-joined the military as a Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve, resigning as a Commander in 1954. Among his reserve duties, Alderman served as ordnance and gunnery instructor, Naval R.O.T.C., Holy Cross College, and commanding officer of the Navy V-12 units at Millsaps College and Middlebury College.

Clifford Alderman was a professional writer, who authored a large number of books (primarily young adult non-fiction) and contributed short stories and articles to national magazines. In his earlier career, he performed editorial and public relations work and was editor of Shipping News, Our Navy and Via Port of New York. He also studied chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked briefly as fourth officer on a Ward liner and as a fuels engineer, U.S. Bureau of Mines. Clifford Alderman died June 14, 1988.

Description of Contents

The Clifford L. Alderman Papers span the years 1950 through 1991 and consist of letters from Alderman to his friend and former schoolmate, Moritz A. Kuhn, a photocopy of the typescript of Alderman’s book, The Perfect One with related correspondence, a bibliography of Alderman’s books, and periodical clippings. Among the correspondence (with envelope postmarked May 18, 1976) is a wrought iron nail from one of Benedict Arnold’s ships that fought at Valcour Island.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged alphabetically by document type and subject into a single record series with no subdivisions.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Clifford L. Alderman Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Philip Kuhn on behalf of Moritz A. Kuhn on June 24, 1999. Accession No. 99-53.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

The Clifford Lindsey Alderman papers, 1958-1981, comprising 8.4 cubic feet of documentation, and representing the bulk of Alderman's papers, are available at the University of Southern Mississippi's Joseph Anderson Cook Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

Twenty books, authored by Alderman, have been removed from the collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Clifford L. Alderman Papers, MS 376

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was originally processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in February 2011.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Alderman, Clifford Lindsey, 1902-1988

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Correspondence
• Manuscripts