A. Alpha Files, 1952-1995
- Extent:
- 48 box(es) and (24 linear feet)
- Scope and content:
-
This subseries contains correspondence, journal and magazine articles, newspaper clippings, oral histories, reports, press releases, and transcripts of interviews, speeches, and testimonies. Arrangement is alphabetical, and individual files are loosely chronological. The researcher may wish to search several possibilities within the alphabetical filing system as some subject matters were filed in an unusual fashion. For example, Department of State is filed under "Department" rather than under "State," and particular Senators are filed under "Senator" rather than by their last name.
Researchers may find this subseries a virtual goldmine of unexpected information. Under general correspondence filed alphabetically, Rusk received letters from regular citizens and prominent politicians, giving and asking for opinions on subjects ranging from the Cuban Missile Crisis, John F. Kennedy's assassination, and Vietnam veterans, to the age of nuclear war, the Iran-Contra affair and Desert Storm. Rusk frequently sent replies detailing his memories and opinions on world matters. For example, under "A - General Correspondence," Rusk received several letters from former Vice-President Spiro Agnew offering his thoughts on foreign policy in the 1980's and non-violent civil disobedience. Rusk himself wrote a letter to Isaac Asimov commenting on humanism. U. S. Presidents, Heads of State, U. S. Ambassadors, and former and present Secretaries of State also sent and received letters and printed materials to and from Dean Rusk that may prove interesting to researchers.
Because a mélange of materials makes up this subseries researchers may be rewarded by methodical searches of files. A number of oral history interviews given by Dean Rusk are listed under the interviewer's name, e.g., there is an interview done by Payne Harrison, Jr. with Dean Rusk on March 18, 1975, regarding the Six-Day War of 1967. Many of the printed materials concern foreign policy and international relations, and include topics like NATO, the United Nations, the NAFTA commission, and Panama Canal treaties. Other information pertains more closely to Rusk's home state of Georgia and local affairs in the University of Georgia community.
Contents
Access and use restrictions
- Parent terms of access:
- 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 permission. 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.