This series consists chiefly of five diaries left by Muriel McCormick, dated from 1937 to 1947. They follow her time as a high school student in Stamford, Connecticut, a young adult working in Washington, D.C., a staff member of the United States embassy in Paris, France, and then as a newlywed woman back in the U.S. Among the everyday details of her life are discussions about her aspirations, relationships, hobbies, and travels, as well as national or international news. Two of the diaries had photographs tucked inside the pages, but they have been removed and housed with the photograph series. Although the earliest diary has some water damage, the others are in fairly good condition. Additionally, the series includes an undated envelope which Muriel presumably used to send photographs to a studio for development after her time in Europe.