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Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers

Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers
Creator: Howard, Buckner, III
Creator: Rusk, Dean, 1909-1994
Creator: Gerald, Rafshoon
Creator: Jordan, Hamilton
Inclusive Dates: 1961-1988
Language(s): English
Extent: 3 box(es) (3 linear feet, 7 audio recordings)
Collection Number: RBRL402
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Philip H. Alston was a supporter of Jimmy Carter during two gubernatorial campaigns and Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. He later served as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 1977-1979 and the U.S. Ambassador to Nauru from 1979-1981. This collection documents his political and diplomatic career.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 19, 1911, Philip H. Alston earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1932 and his law degree from Emory University in 1934. He later served in the military from 1942-1944, during which time he transported troops to Omaha Beach on D-Day. Alston was an early supporter of Jimmy Carter starting in 1966. He was active in Carter's gubernatorial campaigns of 1966 and 1970, and presidential campaign of 1976. After his efforts in the latter, the Carter administration awarded him with an ambassadorial post in Australia, where he served from 1977 to 1979, after which he served as ambassador to the small island nation of Nauru from 1979 to 1981. Outside of politics Alston led an active social life. He dutifully kept in touch with his relatives and friends in Atlanta during his time abroad, especially their relations the Cushman family. He also actively worked with a few charities and nonprofits in Atlanta, and raised large sums of money for his alma mater, UGA. Alston passed away on March 2, 1988.

Scope and Content

This collection includes documents, photographs, news clippings, and other items that detail his political career as well as his personal life. These documents pertain to his time campaigning for Jimmy Carter, working as an ambassador for Australia and Nauru, and his return to Atlanta, Georgia. The collection also keeps a record on the networks of elite and powerful Georgians, as well as UGA alumni in the late twentieth century.

Organization and Arrangement

Series 1: Personal Files - This group of documents focuses on Alston's personal correspondence from 1961-1987, covering the breadth of his time working with the Carters, his time in Australia and Nauru, as well as his return to the United States. These documents provide an informal pictorial and written record of Alston's life as an ambassador, as well as a network of friends and colleagues he left behind in Atlanta.

Series 2: Jimmy Carter Files - This series contains many financial records of fundraising for the Carter presidential campaign, as well as some documentation related to the construction and development of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Items in this series range from 1967-1987

Series 3: Ambassador Files - These records mostly focus on official political reports on Australia and Nauru, suggestions for appointments, as well as discussion of contemporary political issues that had the potential to affect the Carter administration from 1977 to 1987. This series also includes multiple news clippings, demonstrating the public perception of Alston's time as ambassador, as well as Jimmy Carter's time as president.


Administrative Information

Conditions Govering Access

This collection is open for research.

Preferred citation

Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers. Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Copyright Information

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding Aid prepared by Sophia N. Queen, 2019-07-08.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Australia
Carter, Jimmy, 1924- -- Correspondence
Carter, Rosalynn. -- Correspondence
Eleanor, Connors, 1978-1979 -- Correspondence
Georgia. Governor (1971-1975 : Carter)
Harris, Joe Frank, 1936- -- Correspondence
University of Georgia

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Series 1: Personal Files, 1961-1988

This group of documents focuses on Alston's personal correspondence from 1961-1987, covering the breadth of his time working with the Carters, his time in Australia and Nauru, as well as his return to the United States. These documents provide an informal pictorial and written record of Alston's life as an ambassador, as well as a network of friends and colleagues he left behind in Atlanta.
boxfolder
11Personal Correspondence, 1974
12Personal Correspondence, 1975
13Personal Correspondence, 1976
14Howard Bucknell, 1976-1977
15Personal [Correspondence], 1963
16Personal [Correspondence], 1962
17Personal [Correspondence], 1961
18Personal Correspondence, 1977
19Dean Rusk Personal , 1982
110Personal [Correspondence] Alphabetical (Folder 1 of 2), 1981
111Personal [Correspondence] Alphabetical (Folder 2 of 2), 1981
boxfolder
212Personal [Correspondence A-H] (Folder 1 of 3), 1982
213Personal [Correspondence I-S] (Folder 2 of 3), 1982
214Personal [Correspondence T-Z], 1982
228[Personal Correspondence from Australia (PHA) to Jim Cushman], 1977
boxfolder
330[Personal Correspondence], 1975
331Personal H, 1981-1987
332Personal Joe Frank Harris, 1981-1984
333Personal Biographical Shetch [sic.] and Photographs, Undated
334Personal D, 1983-1985
335Personal E, 1981-1987
336Letters During Ambassador Years, 1967-1988
338[Speech on D-Day Experience Givent to Memorialize the 29th Division], Undated
340[Personal Correspondence with Elkin Cushman] (Folder 1 of 2), 1977
341[Personal Correspondence to Elkin Cushman] (Folder 2 of 2), 1976-1978
boxcassette
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0001[Untitled]
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0002Philip & Elkin Deliver to Bob and Tudor
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0003Tape 2, October 21 1977
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0004Tape 1, October 21 1977
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0005Received Berr Lance, 10/5/1977
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0006Robert C. Alston to Ambassador & Mrs. Philip H Alston Jr., 9/26/1977
CS 0150RBRL/402 CS-0007Robert C. Alston Bob.
boxfolder
342Sent from American Embassy to Elkin Cushman, 1977
343For the Scrapbook - Elkin Cushman, 1977
361[Photograph at Airport, Undated], Undated
 

Series 2: Jimmy Carter Files, 1967-1987

This series contains many financial records of fundraising for the Carter presidential campaign, as well as some documentation related to the construction and development of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Items in this series range from 1967-1987.
boxfolder
215Carter Library and Public Policy Research Center - UGA , 1976
216Democratic Presidential Campaign Committee Inc. PHA, Jr. Incorporator/Director, 1976
217Names of People Recommended to the Carter Administration, 1976-1977
218Miscellaneous Carter Correspondence, 1967-1976
219President Carter, 1977-1980
220Gerald M. Rafshoon, 1978-1979
221Carter Family, 1977-1979
222Committee for Jimmy Carter, 1973-1977
223Carter Misc. #2 (June 76- ), 1974-1976
224Carter Related Correspondence Post Election, 1976-1979
225Personal President Carter, 1981-1987
226[Jimmy Carter Photographed, Signed and Framed, but Undated], Undated
227[Invitation to Carter's Inaugural Party], 1977
 

Series 3: Ambassador Files, 1977-1987

These records mostly focus on official political reports on Australia and Nauru, suggestions for appointments, as well as discussion of contemporary political issues that had the potential to affect the Carter administration from 1977 to 1987. This series also includes multiple news clippings, demonstrating the public perception of Alston's time as ambassador, as well as Jimmy Carter's time as president.
boxfolder
229Clippings [Ambassador Related], 1977-1981
boxfolder
337Photographs, Miscellaneous, 1977-1978
339Athens Banner Herald Sports [June 15, 1978], 1978
344[Memos, Correspondence, Australian Economy 1979], 1979
345Gifts, 1978
346[Ansett Airline Investigation 1980], 1980
347Interviews and News Articles, 1977-1981
348Credentials [Nauru], 1977-1979
349Drafts [Australia], 1979-1980
350Connors, Eleanor, 1978-1979
351[Ambassador], 1977-1980
352[Alligator Rivers Uranium Area May 1978, and other Photographs], 1978
353[Ambasadorial couple bid Farewell January 1987], 1987
354Jordan, Hamilton, 1977-1980
355It's Great to See Y'all [Herald Clipping, July 1, 1977], 1977
356Ambassador Visits , Undated
357USS Enterprise CVN-65, Undated
358[Photographs from Governor and Mrs. Harriman], Undated
359United States Seventh Fleet, 1978
boxfolder
460Loose Items from Red Photo Album: Clippings ,Notes, and Photos from Joint Australian and US Military Exercise], 1978
462Red Photo Album, 1978