Paul Brown Family Papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Paul Brown Family Papers
Creator: Brown, Rosalyn
Creator: Brown, Robert T., LtJG, 1916-1944
Creator: Brown, Frances
Creator: Brown, Paul, 1880-1961
Inclusive Dates: circa 1880s-1994
Bulk Dates: 1941-1961
Language(s): English
Extent: 7 box(es) (5 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL427
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The Paul Brown Family Papers are composed primarily of photographs of and correspondence between members of Brown's immediate family--Congressman Brown, his wife Frances, and his two children Robert ("Bobby") and Rosalyn. It includes a selection of Brown's speeches while serving in Congress from 1933-1961, Robert's letters to home during World War II, and genealogical research compiled by Frances for joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. The collection also contains information about the Congressional War Parents Association (of which Brown was a member) and the former Bobby Brown State Park, named in honor of Robert, who served aboard the U.S.S. Scorpion and was lost at sea in 1944.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Paul Brown (1880-1961) was born near Hartwell, GA, but lived most of his life in the city fo Elberton. He was first elected to Congress in 1933 to fill a vacancy left by the death of Congressman Charles H. Brand. He served until 1960, when he announced his retirement.

Brown married Frances Arnold in 1914. The couple had two children: Robert "Bobby" Brown and Rosalyn Brown. Robert served aboard the U.S.S. Scorpion during World War II and was lost at sea in 1944. Rosalyn graduated from the University of North Carolina and became an elementary school teacher in Elberton.

Scope and Content

These are family records related to Congressman Paul Brown, who represented Georgia's 10th district from 1933-1961. The collection contains family correspondence and photographs of the Congressman, his wife Frances, and their children Robert ("Bobby") and Rosalyn, as well as some extended relatives.

Very little of the collection documents Brown's activities in Congress. What documentation there is consists of some speeches, a few letters from colleagues in the House of Representatives, a single bill draft, and newsclippings.

A major component of this collection is Frances Brown's genealogical research. Mrs. Brown was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames of America, and the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, Georgia Chapter. As such she has extensive notes tracing her ancestry through the Arnold and Johnson families to Nathan Johnson.

Four scrapbooks contain many items of correspondence, especially Bobby's letters to home during World War II. The scrapbooks also contain a small selection of Congressman Brown's speeches, including one expressing criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court's positions on both desegregation and the House Un-American Activities Committee. The scrapbooks also document Paul Brown Day, a celebration in Brown's honor held in his home town of Elberton, GA in 1955.

The collection also contains the Congressional War Parents medal that was given to Congressman and Mrs. Brown in honor of their son, Robert, who was lost at sea while stationed aboard the submarine U.S.S. Scorpion.

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Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Restrictions:

Box 3, Folder 6 contains correspondence relating to a family medical issue. The contents of this folder can be made available for research, but the specific items of correspondence covered by this restriction cannot be made available until November 9, 2066.

Preferred Citation

Paul Brown Family 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 Robert Lay, 2018-02-16.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

1

House Recording Studios: Paul Brown , undated

 

1

2

Dedication Ceremony for Bobby Brown Memorial, Bobby Brown State Park, undated

 

1

2

Arnold Family Photographs, undated

 

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2

2

Bobby Brown State Park License Plate, undated

 

2

3

Brown and Curry Photographs, undated

 

2

4

Brown Family Photographs, circa 1910-1912

 

2

5

Brown Family Photographs [1 of 2], undated

 

2

6

Brown Family Photographs [2 of 2], undated

 

2

7

Citizens Defense Corps Certificate, Rosalyn Brown, 1942

 

2

8

Clippings, 1936, 1938, 1955-1962, 1983, 1990

 

2

9

Clippings, 1953, 1992-1993

 

2

10

Clippings, 1953, 1999, 2000

 

2

11

Clippings, 1961, 1978

 

2

12

Congressional War Parents Association, 1943-1944

 

2

13

Curry Family Photographs, undated

 

2

14

Daughters of the American Revolution, 1925

 

2

15

David Johnson Photograph, undated

 

2

16

Diploma for Frances Rosalyn Brown, 1951

 

2	17	[Ephemera], 1942, 1961, 1976, undated
		Contains a 1976 visitor's pass for the Senate gallery and a transfer decal for Bobby Brown State Park.

 

2

18

Eulogy for Paul Brown, [1961]

 

2

19

Frances Brown Photographs, undated

 

2

20

Georgia Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1927, 1938, 1940, 1968

 

2

21

Letter, "Mary Lou" to Paul and Frances Brown, 1961

 

2

22

Marriage License, Paul and Frances Brown, 1914

 

2

23

Mental Photographs Memory Book, circa 1875-1879

 

2

24

The Oglethrope Echo, Paul Brown Edition, 1914

 

2

25

Paul Brown Day, 1955

 

2

26

Paul Brown Photographs, undated

 

2

27

Pennsylvania Guide to Washington, D.C., undated

 

2

28

Photographs of Frances Brown and Rosalyn, undated

 

2	29	Riverside Literature Series: The Prologue from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, 1936
		Inscribed for Paul Brown.

 

2

30

Robert Arnold Photograph and World War I Service Record, circa 1919

 

2

31

Robert Brown Photographs [1 of 2], undated

 

2

32

Robert Brown Photographs [2 of 2], undated

 

2

33

Rosalyn Brown Education Papers, 1973

 

2

34

Rosalyn Brown Photographs, undated

 

2

35

Scrapbook 1 - Clippings, 1938-1957, 1984

 

2

36

Scrapbook 1 - Frances Brown Correspondence, 1932-144, 1966

 

2

37

Scrapbook 1 - Paul Brown Correspondence, 1919, 1932-1955

 

2	38	Scrapbook 1 - Paul Brown Speeches, 1948, undated
		Includes speeches regarding Royston, GA's Progress Day, desegregation, the Rotary Club, Robert E. Lee, and the Rural Free Delivery mail carriers.

 

2

39

Scrapbook 1 - Photographs and Brochures, 1933-1966

 

2

40

Scrapbook 1 - Robert Brown Correspondence, 1927-1944

 

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3

1

Scrapbook 1 - Rosalyn Brown Correspondence, 1940-1985

 

3

2

Scrapbook 1 - Rosalyn Brown Correspondence, 1943-1951

 

3

3

Scrapbook 2 - Correspondence, 1937-1962

 

3

4

Scrapbook 2 - Frances Brown Cruise Travelogue, undated

 

3

5

Scrapbook 2 - Frances Brown Genealogy Research, Daughters of the American Revolution and The Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, Georgia Society, circa 1956

 

3

6

Scrapbook 2 - Rosalyn Brown, 1941-1973

 

3

7

Scrapbook 2 - Speech by Frances Brown, "Random Thoughts About Washington", undated

 

3

8

Scrapbook 3 [1 of 2], 1919-1971

 

3

9

Scrapbook 3 [2 of 2], 1919-1971

 

3

10

Scrapbook 3 - Coca-Cola Company, 1985

 

3

11

Scrapbook 3 - U.S. Submarine Losses, World War II, 1946

 

3	12	Scrapbook 4, 1940-1962
		Contains a photograph of Rosalyn, Frances and Paul with Sam Rayburn on Paul Brown Day and a draft of an amendment to the National Housing Act.

 

3

13

Stenographer's Guide, undated

 

3

14

Stratford Hall Diploma, Rosalyn Brown, 1949

 

3

15

Unidentified Photographs, undated

 

3

16

Word List, undated

 

3

17

Paul Brown Photograph and Speech Notes, undated

 

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4

Family Photographs, undated ( 10 photograph(s) )

Contains 10 photographic prints, approximately 11x14., and one sign for the Seaboard Railroad.

 

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5

Pins and Other Personal Effects, [circa 1900], undated (Box contains several fraternity and honors society pins, a wristwatch, pocketwatch, and a "full dinner bucket" pin from the McKinley Roosevelt presidential campaign.)

Contains several fraternity and honors society pins, a wristwatch, pocketwatch, and a "full dinner bucket" pin from the McKinley Roosevelt presidential campaign.

 

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6

1

Congressional War Parents Association medal

 

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VII.15

Oversize

Contains photographs, newspapers, and manuscripts greater than 11x14", including Frances Brown's Daughters of the American Revolution membership record.