Letters from Clarence Darrow to Mary Field Parton, 1909-1930, many with transcriptions copied on acid-free paper. In his letters Darrow often praises Mary for her writing skill and how much her letters mean to him. He discusses friends and acquaintances, his own career, issues of the day, books read, travel, and his pessimistic philosophy. Friends mentioned frequently include Fremont Older (editor of the San Francisco Call), Sara Bard Field and Charles Erskine Scott Wood (sister and brother-in-law of Mary Field Parton), and Lincoln Steffens. Many letters mention speeches he has given; he talks about his defense of communists and the poor and downtrodden; and in 1912 he provides updates on his Los Angeles trial for bribing a witness while defending the McNamara brothers. He expresses opinions on the war, prostitution, women's suffrage, reformers, radical journalists, the condition of the Negro, and many other topics. He also talks about books he has read and describes his 1920's trip to Italy, Egypt, and Palestine, and a summer spent in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.

Also four letters from Darrow to others; a letter to Mary Field Parton from F.D. Gardner, a financial contributor of Darrow; three letters of support to Darrow, from miner J. Hanrahan, Mayor Brand Whitlock and L.A. County Socialist Party; letters of Margaret Parton Hussey regarding her mother's papers.