Pentagon Papers
Ellsberg releases the documents to New York Times correspondent Neil Sheehan & On Sunday, June 13, 1971, the Times publishes the first of nine excerpts and commentaries on the 7,000 page collection
Role range: 1960-1975
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Neil Sheehan Biography and Timeline
Follow Neil Sheehan through 7 dated historical records for United States of America.
Neil Sheehan, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
7Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1971–1971Years on this page
1971
Pentagon Papers
In February 1971, Ellsberg discussed the study with The New York Times reporter Neil Sheehan, and gave 43 of the volumes to him in March
Role range: 1960-1975
March Meeting with Ellsberg
Sheehan meets Ellsberg in March as the New York Times obtains access to the classified Vietnam study.
Role range: 1960-1975
Receipt of Pentagon Papers Volumes
Sheehan obtains extensive Pentagon Papers material that becomes the basis for the New York Times publication project.
Role range: 1960-1975
Vietnam Archive First Installment
The New York Times begins publishing its Pentagon Papers series based on material obtained by Sheehan.
Role range: 1960-1975
Vietnam Archive Publication Preparation
Sheehan helps prepare the newspaper series that the Times labels the Vietnam Archive.
Role range: 1960-1975
Pentagon Papers Editorial Review
Sheehan works with Times colleagues reviewing the classified study and preparing a major series on United States Vietnam decision-making.
Role range: 1960-1975
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.