McGlennon, John Oral History

Scope and content:

In the following oral history, John McGlennon, a Professor in Government at the College of William & Mary and member of the Board of Supervisors of James City County, Virginia, discusses his interest in politics as a youth, his education and activities at Fordham University and Johns Hopkins University, and his participation in the Democratic Party in Williamsburg, Virginia. McGlennon explains how his New York childhood and background as a first-generation college student sparked his initial interest in politics, particularly in the Kennedy presidency. His increasing dissatisfaction with the Johnson presidency led McGlennon to become involved in the high school and college newspapers, which instilled a belief in the consequence of journalism and academia as avenues for influencing politics. McGlennon describes his impressions of the First Congressional District of Virginia upon arriving in Williamsburg in 1974, detailing his rise through the local Democratic Party from 1978 to 1981. Finally, he outlines his 1982 strategy to campaign against then-State Senator Herb Bateman in the general election for the First Congressional District of Virginia, including how he solicited PAC funds, participated in candidate-on-candidate debates, and the role of abortion in determining the final vote outcome. Williamsburg Documentary Project student Caleb Fulford conducted the interview on April 2, 2024, at 9:00 am with an Amcrest USB Microphone. Fulford and indexer Seth Novak reference the class assignment involving the interview in AMST 410: Williamsburg Documentary Project, taught by Professor Michelle Lelièvre.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Portions of this collection may be restricted for privacy reasons. Consult a staff member for assistance. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
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