The Frank Knox papers consist of two series: Correspondence and Addresses. The Correspondence series dates from 1907 to November 1910 and was donated by Chase S. Osborn. These are the papers from Osborn's campaign for governor, 1909-1910, and detail the close relationship between Osborn and Knox. The second series of Addresses was donated by Col. Knox in 1938, then at the Chicago Daily News, and concern his interest in public affairs, the New Deal, and his own campaign as vice presidential candidate in 1936.
Frank Knox was born in Boston on January 1, 1874. While still a boy, his family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended Alma College, but interrupted his studies to enlisted in the Spanish-American War. Discharged when he contracted malaria, Knox accepted a position with the Grand Rapids Herald. In 1902, he and a printer of his acquaintance purchased the Evening Journal in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. A year later, they changed the name of the paper to the Evening News.
Knox was a progressive Republican who aligned himself with fellow Sault journalist Chase S. Osborn whom he had met in 1901. When Osborn ran for governor in 1910, Knox was his campaign manager, and following his nomination, he became chairman of the Republican State Central Committee. In 1912, Knox left the state to take over the Manchester Leader in New Hampshire.
Knox's subsequent career included ownership of the Chicago Daily News, vice presidential candidacy with Alfred Landon in 1936, and Secretary of the Navy (1940-1944).
