The Thomas O'Dea papers span the full breadth of his professional career. There are a few newspaper clippings and other papers concerning his activities as a young communist leader in 1940 but the substantial portion of the collection begins in the late 1940's with O'Dea's education at Harvard. The papers end in 1972.

Contains clippings about O'Dea, resumes and lists of publications, articles, and speeches about O'Dea.

Contains paper drafts, programs, correspondence, and other materials related to professional conferences in the fields of sociology and religion. Materials date from between 1952 and 1972.

Contains correspondence by O'Dea, primarily related to his academic work and professional service. Materials date from between approximately 1960 and 1974.

Contains journals (chronological) and biographical sketches, legal papers (including divorce and custody papers), and photographs.

Contains collected bibliographies (by subject), book catalogs and publicity (by publisher or dealer), news clippings (by subject), and "sundry items" (notes, check stubs and financial papers, photos, etc.).

Contains notes, memorandums, interviews, and other research materials gathered or compiled by O'Dea. Includes research on Ramah, New Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Materials date from between 1929 and 1971.

Contains audio recordings of professional lectures and music, collected by O'Dea.

Contains correspondence, memorandums, student records, and course materials produced by O'Dea on sociology and religion. Materials date from between 1951 and 1974.

Contains drafts of articles, books, and lectures by O'Dea. Materials date from between 1946 and 1974.