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John and Leni Sinclair were leaders of the counterculture movement in Michigan, organizers of radical social, political, and cultural endeavors primarily in the areas of music, poetry, graphic design, and community welfare projects. Papers and photographs (1957-1979) relating to all phases of their careers, including participation in the Artists' Workshop in Detroit, the Rainbow Multi-Media Corporation, the White Panther Party and its offshoot, the Rainbow Peoples Party; also materials concerning the legalization of marijuana, radical politics, and prison reform. Also material, 1979-2000, relating to John Sinclair's work as a writer, performer, radio show host and music promoter.

The John Sinclair papers came to the library in 1979. Jointly donated by John and Leni Sinclair, this initial accession, covering the period 1957-1979, included textual material, sound recordings, and photographs relating to all phases of their careers, including participation in the Artists' Workshop in Detroit, the Rainbow Multi-Media Corporation, the White Panther Party and its offshoot, the Rainbow Peoples Party; also materials concerning the legalization of marijuana, radical politics, prison reform, and rock and jazz music.

The Sinclair papers provide a rich and unique source for the study of America's radical movement in the nineteen sixties and seventies. Beginning with a remarkable series of correspondence that includes letters from Abbie Hoffman, Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary, and Jerry Rubin, and continuing on through extensive subject files, the collection details the cultural, political and business activities of a man whose energy and charisma made him a local and national leader of the counterculture. In addition, the collection documents the support and creativity of his wife and partner, who as writer, photographer and publicist helped to showcase the lifestyle which he symbolized.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, John Sinclair added to his papers with materials relating to his career as a writer and performer. In the winter of 2000, he donated a second large accession relating mainly to the period since leaving Detroit for New Orleans.

The Sinclair collection has been divided into four subgroups: Textual Files, Printed Material, Sound Recordings, and Visual Material.

Owner and operator of a network of Michigan radio stations, including WSAM in Saginaw, Michigan. Biographical files relating in part to his Ann Arbor and Saginaw, Michigan, civic activities; scrapbooks, advertisements and other materials relating to WSAM radio station; files detailing his involvement with the National Association of Broadcasters; scrapbooks documenting career activities, and photographs.

The Kenneth Hugh MacDonald Papers consist of 2 linear feet of material in three boxes, two oversize volumes, and one oversize folder. The papers date from 1939 to 1989, but the bulk of the material falls between 1941-1961 and 1985-1989. The papers consist of five series: Biographical (1939-1989); WSAM Radio, Saginaw (1941-1961); National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Committees (1985-1989); Photographs (1941-1983); and Personal Scrapbooks (1939-1951).