Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection: Collection Summary

Descriptive Summary
Title: Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection: Collection Summary
Creator: Russell, Richard B. (Richard Brevard), 1897-1971
Inclusive Dates: 1840-1978
Bulk Dates: 1930-1971
Language(s): English
Extent: 3000 box(es) (1443.5 linear feet, 465 audiovisual items, 143 volumes, and 16 microfilm reels)
Collection Number: RBRL001RBR
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Richard B. Russell Jr. served in public office for fifty years as a state legislator (1920-1931), governor of Georgia (1931-1932), and U.S. Senator (1933-1971). Best known for his opposition to civil rights legislation, Russell also focused on national defense, agriculture, soil and water conservation, and economic growth in Georgia. Russell's papers document the entirety of his career, with the vast majority of the materials focusing on his terms in the U.S. Senate. The records include constituent correspondence and other correspondence files, speeches and media files, legislative files, files on civil rights, and published materials.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Richard Brevard Russell, Jr. held public office for fifty years as a state legislator, governor, and U.S. senator. The highlights of his legislative career included support of non-interventionist foreign policy, passage of the National School Lunch Program, securing funding for military installations and research facilities—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—and his opposition to equal rights for African Americans, most evident in the filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Russell was born in Winder, GA on November 2, 1897, to Judge Richard B. Russell, Sr. and Ina Dillard Russell, a teacher. He was the fourth of thirteen children and the first son. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Georgia in 1918. After a brief period practicing law, Russell ran for and won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1920. In 1927, he was elected Speaker of the House, a position he held until 1931. In 1930, Russell ran for governor against a crowded field of seasoned candidates, but he was victorious thanks to a grassroots campaign and his skill in door-to-door canvassing. He took the oath of office in June 1931 but only spent eighteen months as governor before the death of Senator William J. Harris presented him with the opportunity to run for the United States Senate.

Russell entered the U.S. Senate in 1933 and served until his death in 1971. He became one of the Senate's most influential members. During his tenure, he served sixteen years as chair of the Armed Services Committee and held a seat on the Appropriation Committee that spanned his tenure in the Senate. Additionally, Russell held positions on the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, the Committee on Immigration, the Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee, and the Democratic Policy and Democratic Steering Committees.

Although he wielded considerable power through these committee appointments, Russell did not seek a position in the Senate leadership. Instead, he supported the ambitions of his protégé, Senator Lyndon Johnson from Texas for majority whip and later for majority leader. Russell ended his career as president pro tempore of the Senate—a post reserved for the member with the longest tenure in the Senate—making him third in the line of presidential succession.

Russell was known for his support of national defense, non-interventionist foreign policy, and his advocacy for agricultural interests (particularly those in Georgia). Russell opposed the United States entangling itself in international conflicts, especially in Vietnam and the Congo. In agricultural policy, the creation of the National School Lunch Program in 1946 was his most significant achievement for the nation's farmers. The program had the double effect of providing nutritious meals for schoolchildren while avoiding an economic crash by giving farmers a way to sell their surplus produce.

Russell's opposition to civil rights legislation overshadowed his many legislative achievements. He began contesting civil rights legislation as early as 1935 when he joined other southern senators to block anti-lynching bills. Over three decades, Russell developed a reputation as a defender of "white traditions" and white supremacy.

During the Senate's debate of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Russell led the Southern Bloc in a sixty-day filibuster in an attempt to prevent the bill's passage, vowing to "resist to the bitter end any measure or any movement which would have a tendency to bring about social equality and intermingling and amalgamation of the races." The filibuster came to an end only after a partnership of moderate Republicans and northern Democrats introduced a compromise bill that garnered the sixty-seven votes needed to invoke cloture and end the filibuster. The substitute civil rights bill passed on June 19 by a margin of 73-27.

Though Russell advised against attempts to resist the Civil Rights Act at the state level, he remained unapologetic in his criticism of it. In a speech given in the Senate on June 18, 1964, Russell sought to encourage the other members of the Southern Bloc, saying "…there will never come a time when it will be necessary for any one of us to apologize for his conduct or his courage."

Russell left behind a list of political and legislative achievements and a reputation for mastery of legislative strategy. Despite his other distinctions, racial animus and obstructionism would become the most remembered aspects of his legacy. As biographer Gilbert Fite noted, Russell might well have achieved more, were it not for his racial views.

Scope and Content

Russell's papers document the entirety of his career, with the vast majority of the materials focusing on his terms in the U.S. Senate from 1933 to 1971. The records include constituent correspondence and other correspondence files, speeches and media files, legislative files, files on civil rights, and published materials. Common subjects include New Deal legislation, the Vietnam War, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, agriculture, the military, international affairs, and the civil rights movement. The papers also document Russell's campaigns and other political activities.

Organization and Arrangement

This collection is organized into 5 subgroups: Subgroup A. Georgia Legislative/ Speaker of the House, Subgroup B. Georgia Gubernatorial Papers, Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, Subgroup D. Winder Papers, and Subgroup E. Related Materials.

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Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research with the following exceptions:

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed for 75 years from the date of creation.

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, Series V. Personal, with the exception of some correspondence with his mother, all family correspondence was removed to Exhibit B and is restricted by donor agreement.

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, Series XVIII. Exhibit B is available to researchers; however, this series must be reviewed by Russell Library staff prior to patron use. Family correspondence, excluding Ina Dillard Russell and Richard B. Russell, Sr., is restricted.

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, Series XIX. Case Mail is restricted for seventy-five years from the date of creation; therefore, correspondence after 1935 is currently unavailable for research use. Newly available case mail will be made available annually as the restrictions expire.

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, Series XX. Pinks are available for research, only the Russell staff has access to this series and will conduct searches for patrons.

Subgroup E. Related Materials, Series II. Audiovisual Materials: Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request and are dependent upon the condition of the recordings.

Subgroup E. Related Materials, Series V. Artifact: Researchers may view Senator Russell's collection of tobacco cards by appointment only. Digital versions of the baseball cards may be viewed online here.

Preferred citation

Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Conditions Governing Use

Library acts as a "fair use" reproduction agent.

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 Adriane Hanson and Jordan Graham (student assistant), 2016.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Richard B. Russell, Sr. Papers

Russell Family Collection

Patience Elizabeth Russell Peterson Papers

Hugh Peterson, Sr. Papers

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Lamartine G. Hardman Collection

Related Collections in Other Repositories

John C. Stennis Papers, Mitchell Memorial Library, Mississippi State University

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Gubernatorial Papers, Georgia Department of Archives and History

Lyndon B. Johnson Papers, Lyndon B. Johnson Library

U.S. Senate. Committee on Appropriations, Center for Legislative Archives, NARA

U.S. Senate. Committee on Armed Services, Center for Legislative Archives, NARA

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Subgroup A. Georgia Legislative/Speaker of the House Papers, 1927-1930

2 box(es) (0.5 linear feet)

Subgroup A. Georgia Legislative/Speaker of the House Papers contains a small amount of material which reflects some of Russell's official activities as state representative and Speaker of the House. It includes correspondence, an Armistice Day speech, and an index file that Speaker of the House Russell maintained for House committee assignments.

Subgroup A is organized into two series: I. Correspondence/Speech and II. Committee Appointments.

This subgroup is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series I. Correspondence/Speech, 1927-1929 ( 2 folder(s) )

Correspondence pertains to Russell's election as Speaker and to legislation for improving Georgia roads. Speech includes handwritten notes and text for an Armistice Day speech at Barnesville, Georgia.

This series is open for research.

Series II. Committee Appointments, 1927-1930 ( 3 folder(s) )

This series consists of the index file that Speaker of the House Russell maintained for House committee assignments. Arrangement is alphabetical by representatives' surnames.

This series is open for research.

 

Subgroup B. Georgia Gubernatorial Papers, 1930-1933

3 box(es) (1 linear foot)

Subgroup B. Georgia Gubernatorial Papers includes an incomplete series of campaign files, office papers, and speeches. Although a small series, the gubernatorial papers are an important source of information on the 1930 gubernatorial campaign, the Robert E. Burns extradition case, and the state budget for 1932 to 1933.

Subgroup B, Georgia Gubernatorial Papers, is organized into three series: campaign, general files, and speech.

This subgroup is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series I. Campaign, 1930 ( 5 folder(s) )

Campaign files for the 1930 gubernatorial race include copies of Russell's platform, speeches, and clippings.

This series is open for research.

Series II. General Files, 1930-1933 ( 5 folder(s) )

The General Files consist of correspondence, the Robert E. Burns extradition case, and the state budget for 1932 to 1933.

This series is open for research.

Series III. Speech, 1930-1933 ( 13 folder(s) )

The speech files contain handwritten and typed speeches. Topics include state government reorganization, cotton prices and legislation, and endorsement of Franklin D. Roosevelt's campaign for the presidency.

This series is open for research.

 

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers, 1922-1971

2674 box(es) (1334.25 linear feet)

This subgroup of papers comprehensively reveals Richard Russell's activities as a United States senator representing the state of Georgia. The papers are divided into twenty series, two of which are closed; some files are restricted. Closed or restricted files are governed by donor agreement, Executive Orders, or privacy considerations. Not many files survived from Russell's first eleven years in office; the main series for this time period are Early Office, Political, Political Patronage, Personal, and a few files in General. In 1943 and 1944, Russell's staff members reorganized the office filing system, and from that point on, the files are very complete.

This subgroup is organized into twenty series: I. Dictation, II. Intra-Office Communication, III. Speech/Media, IV. Early Office, V. Personal, VI. Political, VII. Political Patronage, VIII. Official, IX. Legislative, X. Civil Rights, XI. Rivers and Harbors, XII. MacArthur Hearings, XIII. Kennedy Assassinations, XIV. Military Installations, XV. General, XVI. International, XVII. Raelsy File, XVIII. Exhibit B, XIX. Case Mail, XX. Pinks.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed for 75 years from the date of creation.

Series I. Dictation, 1944-1970 ( 35 box(es) (17.5 linear feet) )

The Dictation Series is composed of letters and memoranda entirely or partially dictated by Senator Russell. The series is an integration of the copies for the Winder and Washington offices. Thus, in many instances duplication occurs, but often only one copy has been preserved. The letters have been arranged by topic and then in reverse chronological order.

Most of the dictated correspondence or memos contain Russell's views on upcoming legislation, political appointments, support of or opposition to bills and amendments as well as his positions on such issues as defense, the Vietnam war, agriculture issues, the investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights and other national issues. Senator Russell rarely expressed his opinions regarding local and state politics in writing or in any public forum.Dictation copies were, as a rule, filed much more broadly than any other division of correspondence. As a result, letters concerning an agriculture bill, a farmer involved in a case of some sort, an action of the Agriculture Department or a problem of a general nature involved with agriculture might all appear in a file folder labeled "Farm." One should research similar subdivisions under different subseries in the Dictation Series. When Russell personally dictated any portion of a letter or added a postscript, two extra copies on onionskin paper (one for the Winder office and one for the Washington office) were made and filed by subject (Dictation Series), separate from the yellow and pink copies.The initials of composer and typist of each letter is located on the bottom left of the front page of the letter. If someone other than the composer typed the letter, the composer's initials were on the left, followed by full colon and typist initials. From 1969 to 1971 there are pink copies furnished by the Senate Appropriations Committee staff. On these copies Senator Russell's initials will always appear followed by the composer, the Senator did not compose these letters.The left top of the first page has a subject title under which the yellow copy is filed and the top right has a name heading under which the pink copy is filed. Two check marks beneath the signature mean Senator Russell read the letter but that it was signed by automatic pen. One check mark indicates that the Senator read and signed the letter and no check mark indicates that the Senator did not read the letter. Letters marked Personal or Personal and Confidential meant that correspondents were not to release them, also the staff were not to use views expressed as models for other letters. When letters were rewritten by the Senator the section was blocked off by brackets and all handwritten additions were also made on the copies. Some staff members were authorized to send out communications in the Senator's name without his seeing them and his signature would be forged or signed by automatic pen. The following staff members were authorized to approve out-going mail: Leeman Anderson (1933-1936, 1942-1969); Joe Wattson (1937-1941), Babs Raesly (1965-1971); Bill Jordan (1965-1968); Charles Campbell (1969-1971); Proctor Jones (1968-1971); Marge Warren (1965-1969).

Subgroup C, Series I. Dictation is organized into ten subseries: Speech/Media; Personal; Political; Political Patronage; Legislative; Civil Rights; Rivers and Harbors; Kennedy Assassination; Military Instalations; General; Military Academy [CLOSED]; and Case Mail [CLOSED]. Each series is arranged in reverse chronological order.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed for 75 years from the date of creation.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Speech/Media, 1952-1969

Subseries B. Personal, 1949-1970

Subseries C. Political, 1952-1966

Subseries D. Political Patronage, 1949-1963

Subseries E. Legislative, 1949-1969

Subseries F. Civil Rights, 1944-1969

Subseries G. Rivers and Harbors, 1949-1969

Subseries H. Kennedy Assassination, 1963-1967

Subseries I. Military Installations, 1951-1969

Subseries J. General, 1949-1969

Military Academy [closed]

Case Mail [closed]

Series II. Intra-Office Communications, 1943-1971 ( 31 box(es) (15.25 linear feet) )

Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers comprehensively reveals Richard Russell's activities as a United States senator representing the state of Georgia. This series documents Senator Russell's daily activities throughout much of his career in the Senate, from 1943 until 1971. Materials in this series are divided into four categories: Memoranda, Appointment Books, Guest Registers, and Mail Desk Diaries. Subject matter relates to all series in the senatorial papers.

The subseries Memoranda includes all correspondence and notes between the staff and Senator Russell, including "day sheets" (listing of visitors and telephone calls) of both the Washington and Winder offices, daily pages from the desk calendar, and schedule cards (which Senator Russell carried with him). Generally, the desk calendars record Senator Russell's personal, social, and political activities. Often, there are precise lists of each day's events, such as meetings with individuals or senate committees, and social functions, such as dinner with friends, Russell family activities, or a Washington Senators baseball game, along with schedules for medication.Senator Russell was an avid note maker and frequently wrote notes on telephone conversations and meetings or to remind himself of events or things to do; these appear on the day sheets, the desk calendars, schedule cards, and scraps of paper. With the possible exception of the Dictation Series and Speech file, nowhere does Russell's personality and thoughts come through more vividly in the collection. One should also see parallel files in Subgroup D. Winder Papers.The Appointment Books (1962-1971), with the memoranda, are a detailed register of Senator Russell's activities on a daily basis. Guest Registers (1964-1971) record visitors to the Washington office, and Mail Desk Diaries (1963-1971) reveal the volume of incoming mail and number of correspondence assignments per staff member. Earlier books, registers, and diaries were destroyed by the office in the 1960s.

Subgroup C, Series II. Intra-Office Communications is organized into four subseries: A. Memoranda; B. Appointment Books; C. Guest Registers; and D. Mail Desk Diaries. Each subseries is arranged in reverse chronological order.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Memoranda, 1944-1970

Subseries B. Appointment Books, 1962-1968

Subseries C. Guest Registers, 1964-1971

Subseries D. Mail Desk Diaries, 1963-1971

Series III. Speech/Media, 1933-1971 ( 205 box(es) (99.75 linear feet) )

The Speech/Media series consists of manuscripts, typescripts, printed copies, and transcripts of Senator Russell's speeches, articles, interviews, press releases, and related materials; daily copies of the Congressional Record; and speeches, articles, and press releases by other colleagues of the senator. The series is arranged in chronological order, latest date first with title listed.

Most of the speeches were delivered to groups and organizations. Radio speeches, commencement addresses, and legislative speeches are included. There is also speech material which includes research items such as reports, clippings, magazine articles, and speeches used by Russell or a staff member when preparing a speech. It is important to note that Senator Russell did not have a speech writer or press secretary until 1959. Most speeches include Russell's handwritten drafts, and even after 1959, his editing of drafts is very evident.The Media subseries includes copies of Russell's statements on various issues and events, usually in the form of a press release, other office publications, as well as articles written by or about the Senator. Arrangement is chronological. Audiocassettes and film for some of Senator Russell's speeches and radio and television appearances are found in the Audiovisual Materials.

Subgroup C, Series III. Speech/Media is organized into two subseries: Speeches and Media. The speeches subseries is arranged into five sections: speeches by Senator Russell (1933-1969); speeches by Senator Russell (undated); speeches by others; speech material; Congressional Record.The media subseries is arranged into four sections: press; radio/television; news releases; and radio and press material.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Speech, 1933-1971

This subseries is arranged into five sections: speeches by Senator Russell (1933-1969); speeches by Senator Russell (undated); speeches by others; speech material; Congressional Record.

Subseries B. Media, 1962-1971

Series IV. Early Office, 1931-1938 ( 40 box(es) (20 linear feet) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series IV. Early Office reflects Russell's first years as a United States senator and reveals him as a strong supporter of New Deal legislation. Some gubernatorial papers were transferred to Russell's senate office and are found in this series. This series contains correspondence with some printed materials and is incomplete. There are few files documenting Russell's office during the first eleven years, especially from 1938 to 1943, the main series for this time period are Early Office, Political, Political Patronage, Personal, and a few files in General. Any additional non-textual materials originally filed with papers were removed for preservation purposes and improved access. These materials include photographs, audiovisual items, scrapbooks, vertical files, memorabilia, and books.

Some gubernatorial papers were transferred to Russell's senate office and are found in this series. This series contains correspondence with some printed materials and is incomplete. There are few files documenting Russell's office during the first eleven years, especially from 1938 to 1943. What has survived from these years may be found in the Speech and Political series.

Subgroup C, Series IV. Early Office is organized into two subseries: General File and Subject File.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. General File, 1933-1938

This subseries consists of correspondence, telegrams, and printed matter concerning legislative issues.

Subseries B. Subject File, 1931-1938

This subseries consists of correspondence, telegrams, and printed matter. In the early years the office made no attempt to subjugate dependent headings to their respective subjects. For example, crop production loans, farm bulletins, and naval stores are separate from Agriculture Department. Also some topical headings were changed by staff over the years. For instance, Labor Department was shortened to Labor.

Series V. Personal, 1928-1971 ( 207 box(es) (103 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series V. Personal contains correspondence and material of a personal nature including invitations, greetings, announcements, commendations, gifts, family material, etc. With the exception of some correspondence with his mother, all family correspondence was removed to Exhibit B and restricted by donor agreement.

Especially noteworthy are the materials related to history, miscellaneous, and trips. While History generally has materials relating to Russell's interest in the subject, specifically the Civil War, Russell occasionally designated certain items to be placed here. For example, at his direction, research and strategy files from the 1960 civil rights debates are located here. Miscellaneous has a significant amount of correspondence from personal friends. Trips contains correspondence and material on all of Senator Russell's trips including those made in his capacity as a member or chairman of a senate committee. For example, correspondence and material from Russell's 1943 global tour of the war front as chairman of a special senate committee to investigate overseas military bases demonstrate the senator's work on such assignments. During many of these overseas trips prior to 1950, Russell had very revealing correspondence with his mother, which is included. Trips are filed under year in which they were made. If more than one trip was made within a year, the trips were filed alphabetically by country within the year.The invitations include accepted, fulfilled, or sponsored events by the senator. Preferring a quiet evening to work on legislation or to read a book, Russell rarely accepted invitations to social receptions in Washington, but he generally did attend functions that supported the Democratic Party, the state of Georgia, or his family. The posthumous materials contains material relating to the funeral arrangements for Senator Russell and letters of condolence to his family and staff.

Subgroup C, Series V. Personal is arranged in reverse chronological order, thereunder is grouped by subject.

With the exception of some correspondence with his mother, all family correspondence was removed to Exhibit B and is restricted by donor agreement.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series VI. Political, 1932-1971 ( 216 box(es) (108.75 linear feet) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series VI. Political not only spans the entire senate career of Russell but also carries over the gubernatorial office with the 1932 senatorial campaign and the early senate office procedures through Russell's office filing reorganization circa 1943.

The Political series is a rich source of documentation for studying political campaigns in the mid-twentieth century. Russell's first campaign for national office was in 1932 when he ran for the United States Senate to fill the unexpired term of U. S. Senator William J. Harris. After a tough campaign, Russell was victorious against Charles Crisp, a United States representative. Russell's only other contested election was in 1936, when he defeated then-governor Eugene Talmadge. The campaign files cover Senator Russell's campaigns of 1932, 1936, 1942, 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966.In addition to the senatorial campaign files, the series contains files documenting Russell's unsuccessful 1952 race for United States president. The work of Senator Russell, his campaign staff, Democratic Party officials, and other individuals involved with this campaign at three of his campaign offices is documented in the files. The campaign files were generated from the Mayflower Hotel National Campaign Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Conrad Hilton Convention Headquarters in Chicago, and Senator Russell's senate office. These files consist of correspondence, printed materials, speeches, press releases, newspaper clippings, radio and television transcripts, state delegate notebooks, mailing lists, financial papers, campaign contributions, campaign literature, and memorabilia. See also the 1952 scrapbooks, one of which is devoted especially to the campaign, and photographs.The Special Name files contain information at a particular point in time on individuals whom Senator Russell considered of enough interest to warrant an individual folder. Such individuals include Lyndon B. Johnson, Eugene Talmadge, Charles Crisp, Herman E. Talmadge, Ralph McGill, Strom Thurmond, Orval Faubus, and Barry Goldwater, among others.The other subseries mainly consist of general correspondence and materials. The County files reflect the support that Russell might expect within each county during an election year. The Out of State Political consists primarily of correspondence of a general political nature from individuals outside of Georgia.

Subgroup C, Series VI. Political is organized into eight subseries: A. Personal Political; B. Political General; C. Couty Files; D. Out of State Political; E. Special Name File; F. Senatorial Campaign File; G. Presidential Campaign; H. Newspaper File.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Personal Political, 1942-1971

The Personal Political files are divided into two subsubseries based on arrangement of documents: 1. General Correspondence and material, arranged in reverse chronological order; 2. Subject Files, arranged alphabetically by subject and in reverse chronological order.

Subseries B. Political General, 1932-1952

Political General consists of special correspondence and general correspondence arranged in reverse chronological order.

Subseries C. County File, 1935-1966

The purpose of the county files was to reflect support that Senator Russell might expect in a campaign year. The files consist of correspondence and are arranged alphabetically by Georgia county and in reverse chronological order. County correspondence for 1935 and 1936 is divided into folders labeled P and J. According to Margaret Appleby McCormick, Senator Russell's personal secretary (1935-1948), these letters referred to Political or Job.

Subseries D. Out of State, 1935-1966

This subseries consists of correspondence arranged in reverse chronological order. Content is primarily of a general political nature wiht correspondence outside Georgia.

Subseries E. Special Name, 1933-1969

This file on people, according to Barboura (Babs) Raesly, Senator Russell's personal secretary (1957-1971), was considered special and was housed separately. Due to the nature of this filing, folder headings reflect filing changes over the years. At one point, Russell's staff attempted to maintain a Civil Rights Special names file, which is found in this sub-series. Non-political special name files appear in Series V., sub-series B. Speech/Media and in Series IX. Legislative.

Subseries F. Senatorial Campaign Files, 1932-1966

These files consist of correspondence, speeches, press releases literature, clippings, financial statements, memorabilia, registration lists, and printed matter from Senator Russell's seven senatorial campaigns.

Subseries G. Presidential Campaign, 1952-1953

The 1952 presidential campaign files were created by three different offices: Senator Russell's Senate office; Mayflower Hotel National Campaign Headquarters in D.C.; and the Conrad Hilton Convention Headquarters in Chicago. This along with the fact that these papers were found nearly twenty years later in the Capitol attic demostrates the lack of provenance. However, some order has been identified and the files have been arranged accordingly.Correspondence Files: These are divided into three sections based on content of documents: general correspondence, Georgia counties, and states. Each state usually has three folder headings (political presidential state name, and two labeled with just the state name). These folders were evidently produced by Senator Russell's Senate office, Mayflower Hotel National Campaign Headquarters, and the Conrad Hilton Convention Headquarters. The Senate office folder is usually marked "Pol. Pres. [state name]" and is arranged in reverse chronological order; the Mayflower fodler is alphabetical by correspondent's surname; and the contents of the Chicago folder is generally not arranged. Documents related to the Florida Primary are also found in the Subject Files.Subject Files: These files were created by different offices, like materials may be found under related titles which may fall independently within the alphabet. Contribution correspondence and clippings are found in the subject files as well as in contribution files and newspaper files. Speeches are found under individual headings as well as general headings. These files reveal campaign strategy and convention activities. State delegates' notebooks are found here.Contribution File: Correspondence, which pertains to campaign contributions, is arranged alphabetically by surname with the exception of two folders labeled "Special."Newspaper File: Arranged in reverse chronological order. For gaps see senatorial and presidential campaign files in the series and Subgroup E, Series III. Scrapbooks.

Subseries H. Newspaper File, 1933-1969

Series VII. Political Patronage, 1932-1971 ( 34 box(es) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection Subgroup C, Series VII: Political Patronage documents the many individuals from Georgia and elsewhere who sought Senator Russell's assistance in winning federal appointments or jobs, and materials here reflect his role in the process. Requests are for presidential appointments, federal judgeships, federal attorneys and assistant attorneys, federal marshals and deputy marshals, federal jobs, Georgia-based postmasters, and out-of-state judgeships.

Nominations were a standard part of the senator's job, as documented in these files. Of particular interest is Senator Russell's 1968 nomination of Alexander A. Lawrence of Savannah for a federal judgeship in the Southern District of Georgia. Russell expected prompt action on the appointment from President Lyndon Johnson; however, Lawrence's nomination was opposed by civil rights groups in Georgia. This prompted U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark to oppose the nomination as well. While President Johnson eventually named Lawrence as judge, Russell took personal offense at the delay, which caused a rift in the friendship between the senator and the president.

Subgroup C, Series VII: Political Patronage is organized into nine subseries: A. Early Appointments; B. Presidential; C. Northern District; D. Middle District; E. Southern District; F. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; G. Job Patronage; H. Postmasters; and I. Out-of-state Judgeships.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Early Appointments, 1932-1933

Subseries B. Presidential, 1952-1970

Subseries C. Northern District, 1940-1970

Subseries D. Middle District, 1944-1970

Subseries E. Southern District, 1937-1970

Subseries F. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1949-1970

Subseries G. Job Patronage, 1954-1971

Subseries H. Postmaster, 1945-1969

Subseries I. Judgeship, Out of State, 1947-1966

Series VIII. Official, 1943-1971 ( 115 box(es) (57.75 linear feet) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series VIII: Official is, for the most part, correspondence which did not readily adapt itself to filing in one of the other subject files, especially political or job files in the Political and Political Patronage series. The emphasis for research in this series is geographical, and it is a good series to consult when other files lack information.

Subgroup C, Series VIII. Official is organized into two subseries: County files, arranged alphabetically, and Out-of-State files, arranged chronologically.

Some case mail, found throughout Official, was removed as restricted items.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. County, 1940-1971

Subseries B. Out-of-State, 1943-1971

Series IX. Legislative, 1933-1971 ( 399 box(es) (198.25 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series IX. Legislative is primarily constituent mail, but includes legislative drafts, memoranda, hearing transcripts, and correspondence with congressional colleagues. Although official senate committee records remain with each committee and, when retired by the committee, they are transferred to the Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, in Washington, D.C., as part of the permanent records of Congress, Senator Russell retained copies of some materials related to these committees.

Legislative subject matter pertains to legislation being considered by Congress. Once bills were passed into law, subjects relating to them or the agencies they affected were filed in the General Series. The researcher will find a significant overlap between the Legislative and the General series in related subject matter. Floor speeches, legislative drafts, and related correspondence and material are also found in the Speech/Media series.Committee-related trips are filed under Trips in the Personal series. For 1930s legislative activities, researchers should also check the Early Office series, which was a carry over file series from Russell's gubernatorial office and existed until the reorganization of the filing system in Russell's senate office in 1943. Some specific legislative issues or committee-related subjects which created large volumes of correspondence and materials exist as separate series rather than being filed as an appropriate committee subseries file. Civil Rights and MacArthur Hearings are separate series. Civil Rights and MacArthur Hearings are separate series.In Russell's Washington office, the Legislative files were organized by Congress. The overall arrangement of this file series was chronological, latest date first, followed by an alphabetical arrangement of standing committees or independent subject headings. For example, 1963-1964 files were kept for current use; and when the 88th Congress adjourned, these files were retired unless they carried over. In practice, however, few files were ever retired, because of the filing system for the yellow copies (see Subgroup C description).For easier access, the Library staff has modified arrangement of the Legislative Series from chronological to alphabetical by standing committee and subject headings. The subject files were treated as independent file headings (i.e., Railroad Legislation, Veterans Legislation) by Senator Russell's office staff and interfiled alphabetically with committees. Russell bills, private bills, voting record, select and special committees of the senate, and congressional joint committees follow alphabetical standing committees and independent subject headings. Within subseries, arrangement is chronological, latest date first.

Subgroup C, Series IX. Legislative is organized into thirty-four subseries: A. Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee; B. Agriculture and Forestry Committee; C. Appropriations Committee; D. Armed Services Committee; E. Banking and Currency; F. Commerce; G. District of Columbia; H. Finance; I. Foreign Relations; J. Government Operations; K. Interior; L. Judiciary; M. Labor and Public Welfare; N. Miscellaneous Legislation; O. Post Office and Civil Service Committee; P. Public Works; Q. Railroad Legislation; R. Rules and Administration; S. Senate Business; T. Sponsored Legislation; U. Un-American Activities Committee (House); V. Veterans Legislation; W. Russell Bills; X. Private Bills; Y. Voting Record; AA. Democratic Caucus; BB. Democratic Policy Committee; CC. Democratic Steering Committee; DD. Select Committee on Standards and Conduct (Ethics Committee); EE. Select Committee to Study Censure Charges (Watkins Committee); FF. Special Committee to Investigate Crime (Kefauver Committee); HH. Joint Committee on Atomic Energy; II. Joint Committee on the Reorganization of Congress.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 1958-1971

Subseries B. Agriculture and Forest Committee, 1937-1970

Subseries C. Appropriation, 1936-1971

Subseries D. Armed Services Committee, 1944-1971

Subseries E. Banking and Currency, 1942-1971

Subseries F. Commerce, 1943-1971

Subseries G. District of Columbia, 1951-1970

Subseries H. Finance, 1949-1971

Subseries I. Foreign Relations, 1948-1971

Subseries J. Government Operations , 1949-1971

Subseries K. Interior and Insular Affairs, 1949-1971

Subseries L. Judiciary, 1935-1971

Subseries M. Labor and Public Wellfare, 1947-1970

Subseries N. Miscellaneous Legislation, 1938-1971

Subseries O. Post Office and Civil Service, 1951-1970

Subseries P. Public Works, 1947-1971

Subseries Q. Railroad Legislation, 1950-1971

Subseries R. Rules and Administration Committee, 1951-1970

Subseries S. Senate Business, 1933-1971

Subseries T. Sponsored Legislation, 1959-1971

Subseries U. Un-American Activities, 1945-1970

Subseries V. Veteran's Legislation, 1955-1971

Subseries W. Russell Bills, 1934-1966

Subseries X. Private Bills, 1935-1970

Subseries Y. Voting Record, 1935-1970

Subseries AA. Democratic Caucus, 1965-1968

Subseries BB. Democratic Policy Committee Correspondence, 1951-1970

Subseries CC. Democratic Steering Committee, 1959-1971

Subseries DD. Select Committee on Standards and Conduct (Ethics Committee), 1966-1971

Subseries EE. Select Committee to Study Censure Charges (Watkins Committee), 1954

Subseries FF. Special Committee to Study the Foreign Aid Program, 1953-1956

Subseries GG. Special Committee to Investigate Crime (Kefauver Committee), 1951

Subseries HH. Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, 1945-1971

Subseries II. Joint Committee on the Reorganization of Congress, 1945-1967

Series X. Civil Rights , 1922-1971 ( 281 box(es) (140.25 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series X. Civil Rights covers many aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. Almost all of the files deal with relations between Black and white Americans in the United States, particularly those involving legislative action during Senator Russell's career in the Senate. The series documents several issues in detail, including the Costigan-Wagner anti-lynching bill, the Fair Employment Practices Committee, racial integration, and other civil rights bills from 1948 until 1964. These records also cover related topics such as Senate cloture procedure, the literacy voting bill, the poll tax, and school prayer.

This series consists of correspondence, background reports used for legislative review, miscellaneous materials related to civil rights issues, reports, memoranda, bills, and articles. The correspondence reveals much of the public's reaction to proposed civil rights legislation, particularly negative reaction. A fairly complete statement of Senator Russell's views on integration is found under Civil Rights Integration, Pro-Georgia to McCarter, dated 28 June 1963.There are sources for civil rights information other than the Civil Rights series. For example, the Speech/Media series contains Senator Russell's public expressions. A less obvious source of information is a folder, History 1960, located in the Personal series. Most of these items are in response to the 1960 civil rights legislative fight and were put there at the express desire of Russell. One should also refer to the Dictation series, Civil Rights for Senator Russell's consolidated remarks. Materials are also available in the Political series and the General series.

Subgroup C, Series X. Civil Rights is organized into forty-two subseries: A. Anti-lynching; B. Carter, Hodding - Articles; C. Civil Rights; D. Bills and Legislations; E. Civil Rights Commission; F. Civil Rights Fight; G. Cloture; H. Demonstrations; I. Fair Employment Practices Commission [FEPC]; J. Federal Registrar's Bill; K. Filibuster; L. Guidelines; M. Housing; N. Integration - Pro; O. Literacy Vote Bill; P. Little Rock; Q. NAACP; R. Negro; S. Negro Relocation; T. Negro Repatriation; U. Negro Resettlement; V. Negro-Ray Sprigle Articles; W. Poll Tax; X. Racial; Y. Racial-Alabama; Z. Racial - Mississippi; AA. Racial-Out of State; BB. Racial Segregation; CC. Requests for Civil Rights Material; DD. Riot Commission; EE. Riots; FF. Rule Change; GG. School Segregation; HH. Schools; II. Schools - Integration Directives; JJ. Segregation; KK. Segregation in the Armed Services; LL. Slander of the South; MM. Southern Caucus; NN. States' Rights; OO. Supreme Court; and PP. Constituent Correspondence Answered by Robo.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Anti-Lynch, 1922-1950

Subseries B. Carter, Hodding - Articles, 1948-1950

Subseries C. Civil Rights, 1937-1971

Subseries D. Bills and Legislations, 1949-1970

Subseries E. Civil Rights Commission, 1959-1967

Subseries F. Civil Rights Fight, 1956-1957

Subseries G. Cloture, 1945-1971

Subseries H. Demonstrations, 1964

Subseries I. Fair Employment Practices Commission [FEPC], 1935-1964

Subseries J. Federal Registrar's Bill, 1960

Subseries K. Fillibuster, 1957-1964

Subseries L. Guidelines, 1962-1971

Subseries M. Housing, 1949-1962

Subseries N. Integration - Pro, 1963-1964

Subseries O. Literacy Vote Bill, 1962-1970

Subseries P. Little Rock, 1957-1960

Subseries Q. NAACP, 1949-1963

Subseries R. Negro, 1938-1969

Subseries S. Negro Relocation, 1948-1963

Subseries T. Negro Reparation, 1949-1951

Subseries U. Negro Resettlement, 1964

Subseries V. Negro-Ray Springles Articles, 1948

Subseries W. Poll Tax, 1941-1962

Subseries X. Racial, 1943-1964

Subseries Y. Racial-Alabama, 1963-1965

Subseries Z. Racial-Mississippi, 1962-1964

Subseries AA. Racial-Out of State, 1958-1964

Subseries BB. Racial Segregation, 1954-1961

Subseries CC. Requests for Civil Rights Material, 1964-1965

Subseries DD. Riot Commission , 1968

Subseries EE. Riots, 1957-1969

Subseries FF. Rule Change, 1947-1966

Subseries GG. School Segregation, 1950-1963

Subseries HH. Schools, 1958-1970

Subseries II. Schools - Integration Directives, 1960-1970

Subseries JJ. Segregation, 1950-1966

Subseries KK. Segregation in the Armed Services, 1944-1964

Subseries LL. Slander of the South

Subseries MM. Southern Caucus, 1957-1970

Subseries NN. State's Rights, 1944-1970

Subseries OO. Supreme Court, 1944-1970

Subseries PP. Constituent Correspondence Answered by Robo, 1957-1970

Series XI. Rivers and Harbors, 1937-1970 ( 26 box(es) (12.25 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XI. Rivers and Harbors contains correspondence, printed materials and publications relating to federal river and harbor projects. Files are subdivided into General, Corps of Engineers, Individual Projects, and Flood Control Projects. The individual projects were relevant to the constituents of the state of Georgia and its neighbors.

Subgroup C, Series XI. Rivers and Harbors is organized into four subseries: A. General, B. Corps of Engineers; C. Individual Projects; and D. Flood Control.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. General, 1944-1971

Subseries B. Corps of Engineers, 1962-1971

Subseries C. Individual Projects, 1936-1970

Subseries D. Flood Control, 1957-1966

Series XII. MacArthur Hearings, 1951-1953 ( 7 box(es) (3.5 linear feet) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series XII: MacArthur Hearings documents the work of the Joint Senate Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations from Russell's perspective. The four subseries are correspondence file, subject file, hearings materials, and committee prints. This series includes correspondence, reports, memoranda, briefs, newspaper clippings, speeches, press statements, and printed materials. The hearings materials consist of an accordion folder and a black notebook, which was carried by Senator Russell to the hearings. Both contain notes written by Russell during the hearings, speeches and statements by Russell, analyses of testimony for purposes of strategy, hearing summaries, and printed reports.

Subgroup C, Series XII: MacArthur Hearings is organized into four subseries: A. Correspondence, B. Subject Files, C. MacArthur Hearings Material, and D. Committee Prints.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Correspondence, 1951-1953

Subseries B. Subject File, 1951

Subseries C. MacArthur Hearings Material

Subseries D. Committee Prints, 1945-1951

Series XIII. Kennedy Assassinations, 1963-1970 ( 14 box(es) (7 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XIII. Kennedy Assassinations concerns both the homicides of John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy. The majority of the documents, however, relate to the president's assassination and the subsequent findings of the Warren Commission. The files of this series include information prompted by the investigation, correspondence, reports, testimony transcripts, book manuscript drafts and proofs, memoranda, evidential material, manuscript drafts and proofs of the final commission report and clippings pertaining to the assassinations, the commission reports, and other related topics. Other material related to this series is in the Dictation series and in the Intra-Office Communications series of the Winder Papers.

Subgroup C, Series XIII. Kennedy Assassinations is organized into two subseries subject files and miscellany.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

Certain files in the series were pulled by staff of the National Archives-Southeast Region in accordance with federal classifications and are still held by the National Archives under review.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Subject File, 1963-1970

Subseries B. Miscellany, 1963-1969

Series XIV. Military Installations, 1945-1970 ( 9 box(es) (4.25 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XIV: Military Installations contains correspondence and printed materials on military bases primarily in Georgia. The general correspondence concerns the location of military bases and contains some material related to government installations that were not military. Individual installations consist of correspondence and printed materials associated with military bases located in Georgia.

This series is subdivided into general correspondence, arranged chronologically, and individual installations, arranged alphabetically and chronologically.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. General, 1954-1970

Subseries B. Individual Installations, 1945-1970

Series XV. General, 1935-1971 ( 333 box(es) (165.75 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XV. General is composed mainly of correspondence and printed materials relating to federal agencies and departments. Arrangement is chronological by latest date, and within each year date, file headings are by agency or by subject and arranged alphabetically. Because of the close relationship between the passage of legislation by the Congress and its implementation by the federal government, there is significant overlap between the General series and the Legislative series.

During his thirty-eight years in the Senate, Russell received thousands of letters from Georgians and other citizens who revealed their concerns with issues of the day: agricultural policies, civil rights, communism, foreign policy, America's welfare, and any other contemporary hot topics. Most correspondence is with constituents, but congressional colleagues, government officials, representatives from special interest groups, and other American citizens are also represented.The standardized constituent responses, which are hand typed robos, reveal the operation of a senator's office before the use of word processors. In addition to correspondence, there are grant announcements, requests for publications, condolence messages, and letters of special interest to the Senator and his staff.The Red Line File was designated by the office staff as a file for placing items that Senator Russell did not want lost. While it includes letters to save (used at the special request of Russell or at the discretion of staff as a means of easy retrieval), commemorative cachets, the Senator's requests for books, reference material, and condolence messages, the real value of the file is the notes and memos relating to high level meetings or presidential conversations. These notes were handwritten or dictated by Russell. For additional related files, see also the Exhibit B description.Each folder in this series includes a two letter code that specifies the broad topic: AA. Accelerated Public Works; AB. Agriculture Department; AC. American Welfare; AD. American Legion; AE. Appalachia (Appalachian Regional Commission); AF. Appointments; AG. Atlanta Braves; AH. Atlanta Crash; AI. Atomic Energy Commission; AJ. Birth Certificates; AL. Bureau of the Budget; AM. Business; AN. Capitol Calendars; AO. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB); AP. Civil Service Commission; AQ. Commerce Department; AR. Common Market; AS. Community Facilities Administration; AT. Congressional Record; AU. Court Matters; AV. Crime; AW. Defense Department; AX. Education for Freedom, Inc.; AY. Eighteen Year Old Voting; AZ. Electoral College; BA. Equal Employment Commission; BB. Federal Communications Commission; BC. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); BD. Federal Home Loan Bank Board; BE. Federal Maritime Administration (Commission); BF. Federal Power Commission; BG. Federal Reserve System; BH. Federal Trade Commission; BI. Flag; BJ. Football Tickets; BK. General Accounting Office (GAO); BL. General Services Administration (GSA); BM. Georgia, State of; BN. Gift Books; BO. Gold Reserve; BP. Government Contracts; BQ. Government Expenditures; BR. Great White Fleet; BS. Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW); BT. Hotel Reservations; BU. Housing and Urban Development (HUD); BV. Impeachment; BW. Inauguration Tickets and Inaugural; BX. Inflation; BY. Interior Department; BZ. Interstate Commerce Commission; CA. Jews; CB. Justice Department; CC. Labor Department; CD. Laboratories; CE. Libraries; CF. Library of Congress; CG. Liquor; CH. Magazines; CI. Mailing Lists; CJ. Memorials; CK. Miscellaneous; CL. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); CM. National Council of Churches; CN. National Foundation of Arts and Humanities; CO. National Science Foundation; CP. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); CQ. Oceanography; CR. Office of Economic Opportunity; CS. Office Matters; CT. Office Visits; CU. Panama Canal; CV. Passes; CW. Pollution; CX. Postal Matters; CY. Prayer; CZ. Price Control Matters; DA. Propaganda; DB. Railroad; DC. Reapportionment; DE. Requests; DF. Riots; DG. Scholarships; DH. Securities and Exchange Administration; DI. Senate Youth Program; DJ. Senator's F File; DK. Senior Classes; DL. Small Business Administration; DN. State Department; DO. Strikes; DP; Supreme Court; DQ. Surplus Property; DR. Tariff Matters; DS. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); DT. Textiles; DU. Tours; DV. Trade; DW. Transportation Department; DX. Treasury Department; DY. Unanswered Mail; DZ. Veterans Hospital; EA. Warm Springs Foundation; EB. World's Fair; EC. Grants; ED. Robos; EE. Red Line Files.

Subgroup C, Series XV. General is arranged in reverse chronological order, each year is organized by topic.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series XVI. International, 1942-1971 ( 42 box(es) (20.75 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XVI. International consists of correspondence and printed material relating to international regions, countries, cities, topics, and incidents. It is subdivided into general correspondence and subject files. General correspondence contains writings and materials of a general international nature. The Subject files include correspondence and materials pertaining to specific geographic regions, such as Africa and the Middle East, and countries such as Cuba, Angola, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. Materials relating to the British Loan (1942-1946), the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Pueblo Incident, and the Dominican Republic Crisis of 1965 are located in these files.

Subgroup C, Series XVI. International is organized into two subseries: correspondence and subject files.

Case mail, cross-reference copies, and military academies are closed.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. General, 1943-1970

Subseries B. Subject File, 1942-1971

Series XVII. Raesly File, 1957-1973 ( 4 box(es) (1.75 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XVII. Barboura G. Raesly File consists of miscellaneous items acquired, used, and maintained by Ms. Raesly during her tenure as personal secretary. Included are three secretarial notebooks, two of which were used by Raesly; the third was used by Jane McMullan as assistant personal secretary in the mid 1960s. The notebooks contain subject paragraphs dictated by Russell or approved staff for composing letters of reply. Other items include correspondence, press releases, memoranda, and dictation copies, which were maintained by Raesly for safe-keeping and ready reference.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series XVIII. Exhibit B, 1930-1971 ( 23 box(es) (16.75 linear feet) )

With the exception of family correspondence and some incoming correspondence, the documents were created primarily by Russell and his office staff. The general subject matter includes such topics as national defense, foreign policy, Vietnam, federal judgeships, the Warren Commission, office matters, legislation, and family affairs.

The more significant documents in this series are handwritten notes and dictated transcripts by Russell in which he described or related high level government meetings or presidential conversations. These documents, while giving Russell's perspectives, reveal the senator's role in key historical events and his status as advisor and confidant to presidents as well as provide insight into the nature of the meetings and personalities involved. See also Series XV. General, Red Line files and Subgroup D. Winder Papers.

Exhibit B is available to researchers; however, this series must be reviewed by Russell Library staff prior to patron use. Family correspondence, excluding Ina Dillard Russell and Richard B. Russell, Sr., is restricted.

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series XVIII. Exhibit B, under the terms of the original conveyance of the Russell Collection, were not to be made available until May 8, 1973. The primary intent of the executors was to avoid injuring or embarrassing any living person by the the dissemination of information contained in these documents.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series XIX. Case Mail, 1931-1935 ( 4 box(es) (4.0 linear feet) )

The Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup C, Series XIX: Case Mail is case-like correspondence with constituents concerning confidential matters or disclosing information of a confidential nature in pursuit usually for redress from the federal government or for appointment or employment. File headings include Army-Navy (all military branches), immigration, social security, veterans, pardon and parole, selective service, unemployment compensation, jobs, labor, and military academies.

The case mail open for research is comprised of letters between the senator and constituents on a variety of topics from the years 1931 to 1935. In this collection, most of the letters deal with securing recommendations for employment in a variety of Federal and State organizations. In 1932, there are number of letters dealing with Veterans' Affairs (with one letter from 1931) and many are requesting help based on previous work in the military. There are also requests for work on the federal building in Gainesville, GA as well requests for appointments and recommendations for positions with the railway mail services. In 1933, the majority of the letters are to request positions within the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) project at Muscle Shoals in Alabama and for many postal positions in rural Georgia. There were also requests for appointments in positions of North Georgia Marshalls, Assistant District Attorney and IRS collector. In 1934, most of the letters were in reference to positions within the New Deal programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Public Works Administration, and the TVA. Many of Senator Russell's constituents were interested in working on a new campaign to eradicate the screw worm and wrote to ask the senator for a recommendation for the project. In 1935, more people were asking for recommendations over relief. In previous years, the senator's case mail included a great number of requests that he forward to relief agencies including the U.S. Employees' Compensation Commission, the Red Cross and various county relief administrations, but in 1935, most of the requests for recommendations for New Deal projects and positions in various federal departments including many people he put on a "special list" for the Works Relief Program. All five years contain military requests including transfers, requests for personnel files, medals, pensions and commissions. In each of the years 1933, 1934, and 1935, there are files named "Filed by Name." These were filed separately by the creator, but all contain military requests.

Subgroup C, Series XIX: Case Mail is arranged chronologically by year and by subject of correspondence thereunder.

All case mail is restricted for seventy-five years from the date of creation; therefore, correspondence after 1935 is currently unavailable for research use. Newly available case mail will be made available annually as the restrictions expire.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series XX. Pinks [Limited to Staff Use], 1943-1971 ( 644 box(es) (322.5 linear feet) )

Subgroup C, Series XX. Pinks are the copies of Senator Russell's outgoing letters which index the yellow subject copies by correspondent's surname. Arrangement is chronological by latest date and alphabetical by surname within each year. This series does provide for searching by name, but it is limited to library staff use because it includes reference to case mail and other restricted correspondence.

Subgroup C, Series XX. Pinks is arranged in reverse chronological order and alphabetical by surname within each year.

While the pinks are available for research, only the Russell staff has access to this series and will conduct searches for patrons.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

 

Subgroup D. Winder Papers, 1897-1971

133 box(es) (61.25 linear feet)

Subgroup D. Winder Papers were gathered at the request of the Russell Estate executors in the early 1980s, Russell Library staff appraised materials at the Russell family home place in Winder, Georgia, for the purpose of identifying those items which should be added to the collection at the Library. Staff members had full access to search the house and property to locate materials. This addendum to the original conveyance of the Senator's collection documents his personal life and early career and fills gaps in documentation provided by materials already at the Library.

Subgroup D. Winder Papers are organized into five series: Early Years, School Years, Georgia Legislative and Pre-Gubernatorial Years, Georgia Gubernatorial Years, and United States Senatorial Years.

This subgroup is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series I. Early Years, 1897-1911 ( 1 box(es) (.5 linear feet) )

Family letters to the senator and his family reveal a biographical text, tracing the intellectual development of the future senator from Georgia. The letters were written while Russell was growing up in Winder, Georgia. In fact, the first letter ever written to the senator was from one of his maternal uncles, Miles Hill Dillard, two days after his birth. Miles provided baby Russell advice on how to live a good life and why he should not go into politics, but into public service. This series also includes diaries, school notes, printed materials, and postcards.

This series is open for research.

Series II. School Years, 1911-1918 ( 5 box(es) (2.5 linear feet) )

Included in this series are notes, class work, diaries, postcards, printed materials, and correspondence. The correspondence includes letters from his family, especially his parents, encouraging Russell to work hard and do well in his studies. Judge Russell reveals especially his hopes for his namesake's political future.

This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A. Correspondence and Subseries B. Subject Files.

This series is open for research.

Subseries A. Correspondence, 1911-1918

Subseries B. General Files, 1911-1918

Series III. Georgia Legislative and Pre-Gubernatorial Years, 1918-1931 ( 15 box(es) (6.75 linear feet) )

This series complements Subgroup A. Georgia Legislative/Speaker of the House Papers and documents Russell's beginnings as a politician and his work in the state legislature. Divided into legislative and political, personal, subject, 1930 campaign, and general files spanning the 1920s, this series illustrates issues central to that decade's politics on the state level. The series also includes files relating to Russell's father's unsuccessful campaign for the United States Senate in 1926, which the younger Russell managed.

This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A. Legislative and Political and Subseries B. Personal.

This series is open for research.

A. Legislative and Political, 1919-1930

B. Personal, 1918-1930

Series IV. Georgia Gubernatorial Years, 1928-1933 ( 6 box(es) (3 linear feet) )

This series complements Subgroup B. Georgia Gubernatorial Papers and completes the record of Russell's governorship. The official records are at the Georgia Department of Archives and History. The series is divided into 1930 campaign files and general files of correspondence, subjects, clippings, and speech. Topics include government reorganization, budget, judicial system, cotton situation, and state politics.

This series is divided into two subseries: Subseries A. 1930 Campaign and Subseries B. General.

This series is open for research.

A. 1930 Campaign, 1930-1932

B. General, 1930-1932

Series V. United States Senatorial Years, 1931-1970 ( 106 box(es) (54.5 linear feet) )

The Senatorial Years series comprises files maintained by Senator Russell and his staff in his district office in Winder and at his home; the files parallel those in Subgroup C. United States Senatorial Papers. The series also includes some files which were sent directly to Winder from Washington after Russell's death. Of special interest are files related to Russell's 1932 senatorial campaign against Charles Crisp, his 1936 senatorial campaign against Eugene Talmadge and his 1952 presidential campaign. The series should be used in conjunction with use of Subgroup C. for research.

The papers are divided into eleven subseries: intra-office, speech/media, early office, personal, political, political patronage, official, legislative, civil rights, general, and international.

This series is open for research.

Subseries A. Intra-Office, 1939-1970

Subseries B. Speech/Media, 1934-1970

Subseries C. Early Office, 1931-1938

Subseries D. Personal, 1932-1971

Subseries E. Political, 1932-1970

Subseries F. Political Patronage, 1930-1954

Subseries G. Official, 1934-1936

Subseries H. Legislative, 1933-1970

Subseries I. Civil Rights, 1938-1967

Subseries J. General, 1941-1970

Subseries EE. Red Line File, 1941-1970

Subseries K. International, 1954-1970

 

Subgroup E. Related Materials, 1840-1978

188 box(es) (40 linear feet, 465 audiovisual items, 143 volumes, 16 microfilm reels)

Related Materials are items that by physical form are not part of the papers in the collection, but by content are related to the intellectual content of the papers. Any additional non-textual materials originally filed with papers were removed for preservation purposes and improved access. These materials include photographs, audiovisual items, scrapbooks, vertical files, memorabilia, and books; physical form determines arrangement and storage. Related Materials include items from Washington and Winder, and inventories indicate provenance.

This subgroup is organized into five series: I. Photographs, II. Audiovisual Materials, III. Scrapbooks, IV. Vertical Files, V. Artifacts.

This subgroup is open for research.

Series II. Audiovisual Materials: Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request and are dependent upon the condition of the recordings.

Series V. Artifacts: Researchers may view Senator Russell's collection of tobacco cards by appointment only. Digital versions of the baseball cards may be viewed online here.

Series I. Photographs, 1840-1970 ( 29 box(es) (23 linear feet) )

A collection of over 4,500 unique photographs illustrates the life and career of Senator Russell. Early photographs include images of Russell ancestors and from Russell's childhood and, then, span his life through 1 October 1970, when he made a military inspection tour at Key West, Florida. Of particular interest are the photos documenting the Senate Military Affairs Committee touring the European Theatre of Operation in 1945.

Contents of this collection range from political campaigns; trips made by Russell, either vacation or official; functions within the Senate, such as Senate leadership, Democratic Policy Committee meetings, or debates; and White House functions to family events, Cherry Blossom Festivals' princesses and their escorts, farms, country road intersections, and "impacted area" schools. There are a large number of images of Russell with well-known individuals, and some images have been autographed.

The photographs are organized into three groups: A. RBR Photographs, B. Winder Photographs, and C. Trips. Each of these sets are generally arranged in chronological order.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. RBR Photographs, 1876-1970

Subseries B. Winder Photographs, 1840-1954

Subseries C. Trips, 1932-1956

Series II. Audiovisual Materials, 1931-1978 ( 465 item(s) )

Although Russell was not known for extensive media appearances, early on he did make use of radio. These appearances, which began on radio in 1930, include not only campaign-related activities but also many talk shows, award presentations, Senate Recording Studio releases, news conferences, and turning points in Russell's career. In addition, Russell was often sent material of interest in audiovisual form by constituents and political associates. The most comprehensive of these materials, WSB-TV's "Richard B. Russell: Georgia Giant," contains numerous hours of interviews (edited and unedited) with Russell and several historical background films that went into the making of the 3-hour documentary.

There are subject analyses for these materials. Sound recordings have been transcribed and have an index for names.

The audiovisual material is arranged by format.

Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request and are dependent upon the condition of the recordings.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series III. Scrapbooks, 1930-1971 ( 32 box(es) (143 volumes, 16 microfilm reels) )

The 143 scrapbooks document Senator Russell's 1930 campaign for governor of Georgia; the thirty-eight years of his Senate career, 1933-1971; and posthumous stories. There is also an almost complete record of the entire Russell family, from weddings to deaths and even clips of nieces' and nephews' school honors. The scrapbooks were maintained by the office staff (several were compiled by family members) and include clippings from newspapers and magazines, including news and feature items, editorials, cartoons, photographs, and mementos. See also scrapbooks in the papers of Senator Russell's mother, Ina Dillard Russell, and his aunt, Addie Day Russell.

The scrapbooks' coverage is exhaustive and provides an excellent overview of Senator Russell's career. They are also a source of information on other Georgia congressional members: Senator Walter George, Senator Herman Talmadge, Representative Carl Vinson, and others who served from 1932 to 1971. There are numerous items on Georgia political figures as well.Some staff members have recalled how the Senator himself gathered material for the scrapbooks on his trips and speaking engagements: programs, pictures, I.D.s memoranda, passes, and public relations promotion items. He would empty his pockets on his return and take the mementos to the office to be included. In browsing through papers and magazines, he would mark certain articles with his famous red pencil "scrap," meaning that they were to be clipped and pasted. (The red pencil will not be visible on the microfilm copy of the scrapbook.)

The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series IV. Vertical Files, 1935-1970 ( 17 box(es) (17 linear feet) )

Subgroup E, Series IV. Vertical Files are composed of articles, magazines, pamphlets, and brochures containing items of interest to Senator Russell. These files include popular national publications such as Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News and World Report as well as those less known. Many items are marked for filing and annotated by Russell. Subject matter includes the 1952 presidential campaign, civil rights, defense, agriculture and forestry, international events, the United Nations, Georgia, politics, and Civil War history.

Where possible, arrangement of the vertical files follows the series headings of the senatorial papers, then alphabetical by article title.

This series is open for research.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Series V. Artifacts, circa 1900-1971 ( 110 box(es) )

Subgroup E, Series V: Artifacts include Russell's Senate office furnishings, the chair he used on the Senate Floor, his campaign ephemera, cartoons and artwork, and his official and personal gifts. Of significant interest is his childhood tobacco card collection, approximately 1100 cards dating from the period 1909 to 1913. The majority of the cards (916) depict baseball players of the era with the remaining cards featuring a variety of subject matter, including actresses, boxers, flags of the world, college pennants, and fish and other wildlife. Most cards are in very good condition. [A database of the baseball cards can be found online here.]

Throughout his public service career, Russell received many plaques, citations, proclamations, honorary degrees, resolutions, and presentation certificates. Some of the more prestigious were honorary degrees from Oglethorpe University and John Marshall University, the James Forrestal Award, the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Great American Award, and others from military, agricultural, business, and civic groups.

The artifacts are organized into four groups: A. Formerly Framed Objects (RBR F), B. Artifacts (RBR), C. Artifacts from Winder (RBRW), and D. Gifts to the Russell Library (RBRL)

This series is open for research.

Researchers may view Senator Russell's collection of tobacco cards by appointment only. Digital versions of the baseball cards may be viewed online here.

To view more detailed information or to request materials from this series, visit the finding aid for this series.

Subseries A. Formerly Framed Objects (RBR F), 1870-1977

Subseries B. Artifacts (RBR), 1956-1971

Subseries C. Artifacts from Winder (WIND), 1863-1971

Subseries D. Gifts to the Russell Library (RBRL), 1956-1975