No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives'
record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program
staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted
by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.
Pogue was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of his distinguished career in military history and pioneering role in the field of oral history.
Descriptive Entry:
This interview of Pogue by University of Maryland student James Tapley in 1986 covers his education, military service, research and administrative careers. The collection
consists of 1.0 hours of audiotape recording and 28 pages of transcript.
Historical Note:
Forrest C. Pogue (1912-1996), military historian, received the A.B. from Murray State College in 1931, M.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1932, and Ph.D. from
Clark University in 1939. He taught for several years before joining the historical section of the United States Army during World War II. He pioneered the use of oral history
interviews to compile battlefield histories. He was appointed Director of the George C. Marshall Research Center in 1956 and later directed the Marshall Library and Marshall
Research Foundation until 1974. During this time, he began a four volume biography of General George C. Marshall. In 1974, Pogue was named Director of the newly established
Eisenhower Institute for Military Research at the Smithsonian and continued in that position until his retirement in 1986.
Rights:
Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.
Interview of Pogue discusses his education, military service, and career, including: Decision to join the Smithsonian staff; eduation; military service; research on General George C. Marshall; career at the Marshall Research Center and Library, and at ...
