Dr. Edna McGlynn was born in Beverly, Massachusetts. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Boston University. She went on to earn two doctorates, one from Boston College in medieval history and the other from Georgetown University in American diplomatic history. She taught at Keene State College from 1928 to 1936. She joined the Salem Teachers College (Salem State) faculty in 1936 as a professor of history and government.

At the outset of World War II, Dr. McGlynn began corresponding with the students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received. McGlynn served the college until her retirement in 1976. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1982 in recognition of her many contributions to the students and the institution that had become Salem State College. Dr. McGlynn died on March 27, 2005, at the age of 97.

View Finding Aid

View List of Students who served during World War II

This collection contains material of a highly sensitive nature that may be triggering for some individuals

Recent Submissions

  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - May 8, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-05-08)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - March 10, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-03-10)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - January 10, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-01-10)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - November 5, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-11-05)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - June 19th

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-06-19)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - April 26, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-04-26)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - April 1, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-04-01)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - March 24, 1944

    Collins, Donald E.
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - November 25, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-11-25)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - August 27, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-08-27)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - May 8, 1945

    Collins, Donald E. (1945-05-08)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - September 23, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-09-23)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - August 17, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-08-17)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - August 6, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-08-06)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - February 27, 1944

    Collins, Donald E. (1944-02-27)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - January 21, 1944

    Collins, Donald E.
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - August 13, 1943

    Collins, Donald E. (1943-08-13)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - January 17, 1942

    Collins, Donald E. (1942-01-17)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald E. Collins to Edna McGlynn - December 1942

    Collins, Donald E. (1942-12)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.
  • Donald G. Stather to Edna McGlynn – June 16, 1942

    Collins, Donald E. (1942-06-16)
    At the outset of World War II, Dr. Edna McGlynn began corresponding with Salem Teachers College (Salem State) students and alumni who left home to serve in the military. The Collegiate Defense Committee (CDC), with McGlynn as faculty advisor, was formed to write letters and send care packages to Salemites serving at home and abroad. McGlynn and the CDC corresponded with over one hundred students and alumni; they also maintained current mailing lists of those in the service and prepared and distributed “The Salem Newsletter” in which Dr. McGlynn edited summaries of news from the letters she received.

View more