The John A. McCone papers, 1904-1991 consist primarily of McCone's combined professional and personal office files as well as mail briefs, chronological files, memoranda, and Foundation and Trust records. The papers include writings, speeches, awards, interviews, biographical materials, photographs, negatives, slides, personal and family materials. The bulk of materials date from 1978 to 1989. Notably missing are any official papers and correspondence during the period from 1962 to 1966 when McCone served with the United States Central Intelligence Agency. The office files are McCone's personal files spanning from the 1950s to 1991. They contain correspondence with a number of prominent United States government officials, including Presidents and Vice Presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan, Congressmen, and cabinet members. The papers reflect McCone's service in high positions under four Presidents, including his tenure as chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1958 to 1961 when Eisenhower launched his "Atoms for Peace" initiatives.