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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                                THOMPSON HINE LLP
                           2000 COURTHOUSE PLAZA, N.E.
                              10 WEST SECOND STREET
                                DAYTON, OH 45402
                                 (937) 443-6600


June 29, 2001

The Mead Corporation
Courthouse Plaza Northeast
Dayton, Ohio 45463

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to The Mead Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 covering
2,500,000 Common Shares of the Company to be offered and sold under the
Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Registration Statement").

Please be advised that we have examined such proceedings and records of the
Company, and have made investigation of such other matters, as in our judgment
permit us to render an informed opinion on the matters set forth herein.

Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Common Shares of the
Company offered under the Plan have been duly authorized and, when issued in
accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Company's
Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Thompson Hine LLP




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