Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection
Document Type
Oral History
Publication Date
11-14-2003
Interview Number
MOH 422
Abstract
Alfred “Al” Friendly was born on May 17, 1938 in Washington, D.C. His parents were Alfred, Sr. and Jean Friendly and he was the eldest of five children. His father was a journalist with the Washington Post and his mother was a homemaker and involved in the Foreign Student Service Council. Alfred graduated from Harvard and later joined the Army. He became a journalist in 1962 for Newsweek and in 1966 moved over to the New York Times, until 1971. He worked for Senator Muskie as a speech writer and as a member of the Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee. From 1974 to 1976 he worked in Russia for Newsweek. In 1976 he returned to work on the Helsinki Commission, then worked for Joe Biden on the European Affairs Subcommittee. He became the Associate White House Press Secretary in 1980 for Carter.
Use Restrictions
Copyright Bates College. This transcript is provided for individual Research Purposes Only; for all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: The Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library, Bates College, 70 Campus Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240-6018.
Recommended Citation
Nicoll, Don, "Friendly, Alfred "Al" oral history interview" (2003). Edmund S. Muskie Oral History Collection. 136.
https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/136
Scope and Content Note
Interview includes discussions of: family; working for Muskie; working for Humphrey; Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Subcommittee; speechwriting for Senator Muskie; and the Freedom of Information Act as it relates to the issue of Executive Privilege.