Editor's Introduction

In one sense, it is as old as story telling; in another, it is a discipline that has emerged as academic practice in the post-World War II era. Included are stories of people who rst became involved in oral history by recording the recollections of par-ents, grandparents, or other relatives; others who were looking for an additional academic course; others who fell under the inuence of a mentor who introduced them to oral history; others who turned to oral history to enhance a project, thesis or dissertation; and others who came to oral history via a serendipitous incident that dees generalization. Mary Larsons interview with Enid Douglass of Claremont Graduate University explores early meetings of the Oral History Association, the development of the oral history program at Claremont and other California universities, the formation of regional oral history associations, and continuing issues of concern to oral historians (such as the funding of projects).The Oral History Review faces a transition with this issue, as two of its important contributors relinquish their positions effective with the publication of this issue.