Assistant and friend to Robert and John F. Kennedy, government official, politician, author, businessman. Assistant Counsel, Select Committee to Investigate Improper Activities in Labor-Management Relations in the Senate (1957-59), Campaign Director, Kennedy for President (1960), Appointment secretary to the President (1961-1963); Special Assistant to the President (1961-1965); President, Kenneth P. O'Donnell and Associates (1965-1977), Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate (1966, 1970); co-author (with David F. Powers and Joe McCarthy), "Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye" (1972).
Personal and professional papers (1924-1977) relate to Harvard College Football, the Kennedy Administration, National and Massachusetts state politics and campaigns, and O’Donnell’s work in private industry.
White House Staff Files include miscellaneous correspondence from friends and official associates about legislation, elections and political climate, and concerns of the Kennedy administration and members of Congress.
Oral History Interviews include a 1969 interview (208 pp.) for the Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Program [Closed], and a 1969 interview (111 pp.) conducted by the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library.