James F. Cook Research Files

Descriptive Summary
Title: James F. Cook Research Files
Creator: Cook, James F., 1940-
Inclusive Dates: 1907-2004
Language(s): English
Extent: 7 box(es) (5.75 linear feet), including 23 photographs
Collection Number: RBRL116JFC
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: This collection primarily focuses on the research and publication of the book Carl Vinson: Patriarch of the Armed Forces by James F. Cook. Photocopies of research material, notes, correspondence, photographs, and transcripts of interviews make up the majority of the files. There are three albums containing original correspondence between Carl Vinson and Louis Stockstill, journalist for Army-Navy Times, and Neta Stockstill, secretary for the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, dating from 1962 to 1976. Also, there are a few of Cook's early writings and a small amount of material related to his book Governors of Georgia, 1754-2004.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

James F. Cook, Jr. was born on December 3, 1940 and studied at Young Harris College (1960), Emory University (1962), and Georgia State University (1964), after which he became an instructor of history at Georgia State. Cook received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Georgia in 1972. He taught at Floyd College for thirty years, retiring in 2000, and was named Professor of History Emeritus in 2001. Cook has authored numerous articles and book chapters on Georgia history and politics. He is most well-known for the publications Governors of Georgia; Carl Sanders: Spokesman of the New South; and Carl Vinson: Patriarch of the Armed Forces. He married Ida Barnett in 1964 and they have two children Sean and Jamie.

Scope and Content

This collection primarily focuses on the research and publication of the book Carl Vinson: Patriarch of the Armed Forces by James F. Cook. Photocopies of research material, notes, correspondence, photographs, and transcripts of interviews make up the majority of the files. There are three albums containing original correspondence between Carl Vinson and Louis Stockstill, journalist for Army-Navy Times, and Neta Stockstill, secretary for the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, dating from 1962 to 1976. Also, there are a few of Cook's early writings and a small amount of material related to his book Governors of Georgia, 1754-2004.

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is organized into three series: I. Research Files, II. Stockstill Papers, and III. Other Writings.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

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

User Restrictions

Library acts as "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 on: 2010.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Carl E. Sanders Papers

William J. Harris Papers

Thomas W. Hardwick Papers

John L. Pilcher Papers

Williamson S. Stuckey Papers

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Related Collections in Other Repositories

James F. Cook Papers, Special Collections, University of West Georgia

Georgia Political Heritage Program, Special Collections, University of West Georgia

Erwin U. Sibley Papers, Georgia College and State University

Carl Vinson File, Jack Tarver Library, Mercer University

Oral History, Lyndon B. Johnson Library

Georgia Governmental Documentation Project, Georgia State University

John A. Sibley Correspondence, Manuscript and Rare Book Library, Emory University

Sam Nunn Papers, Manuscript and Rare Book Library, Emory University

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Research Files

5 box(es)

(4.5 linear feet), including 23 photographs

The research files consist of photocopies of research material, notes, correspondence, photographs, transcripts of interviews, proofs, and publications related to Carl Vinson. The research material is comprised of both primary and secondary research conducted by James Cook in preparation for writing Carl Vinson: Patriarch of the Armed Forces and documentation of its subsequent publication. The majority of this series consists of photocopies of government publications and newspaper articles; there are also transcripts from original interviews with Sam Nunn, Ed Vinson, Louis and Neta Stockstill, Carl Sanders, Tillman Snead, and others, conducted by Cook.

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folder

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I.1

1

Ancestry and education

I.1

2

Atlanta Journal Constitution Vinson file

I.1

3

Author kit, Mercer University Press

I.1

4

Baldwin County Records

I.1

5

Bibliography - Reference (folder 1 of 2)

I.1

6

Bibliography - Reference (folder 2 of 2)

I.1

7

Biographical

I.1

8

Congressional Record (folder 1 of 3), 1914-1940

I.1

9

Congressional Record (folder 2 of 3), 1914-1940

I.1

10

Congressional Record (folder 3 of 3), 1914-1940

I.1

11

Congressional Record, 1941-1945

I.1

12

Congressional Record, 1946-1953

I.1

13

Congressional Record, 1950-1954

I.1

14

Congressional Record, 1955-1960

I.1

15

Congressional Record, 1961-1964

I.1

16

Correspondence

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I.2

1

Family genealogy

I.2

2

General (folder 1 of 2)

I.2

3

General (folder 2 of 2)

I.2

4

General (folder 1 of 4)

I.2

5

General (folder 2 of 4)

I.2

6

General (folder 3 of 4)

I.2

7

General (folder 4 of 4)

I.2

8

Georgia Statistical Register

I.2

9

Government hearings and reports, 1914-1939

I.2

10

Government hearings and reports, 1940-1941

I.2

11

Government hearings and reports (folder 1 of 2), 1942-1943

I.2

12

Government hearings and reports (folder 2 of 2), 1942-1943

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folder

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I.3

1

Government hearings and reports, 1950-1958

I.3

2

Local politics (folder 1 of 2), 1907-1919

I.3

3

Local politics (folder 2 of 2), 1907-1919

I.3

4

Local politics - personal, 1921-1938

I.3

5

Local politics - personal, 1939-1975

I.3

6

Lyndon B. Johnson Library

I.3

7

Photographs 23 (various size) b/w

I.3

8

Photographs from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government [photocopies]

I.3

9

Photographs Vinson scrapbook by Tim Vacula [photocopies]

I.3

10

Print proofs of photographs, 2004

I.3

11

References

I.3

12

Reference note cards - books

I.3

13

Reference note cards - manuscript collections

I.3

14

Reference note cards - articles, reports, oral histories, manuscript collections

I.3

15

Scrapbook and interviews

I.3

16

Sources to check

I.3

17

Vinson proof copy sent to Mercer University Press (folder 1 of 2), 2003

I.3

18

Vinson proof copy sent to Mercer University Press (folder 2 of 2), 2003

I.3

19

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1927-1934 February

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I.4

1

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1934 March-1938

I.4

2

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1939-1941

I.4

3

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1941-1945

I.4

4

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1945-1949

I.4

5

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1950-1954

I.4

6

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1955-1960

I.4

7

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes] (folder 1 of 2), 1961-1965

I.4

8

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes] (folder 2 of 2), 1961-1965

I.4

9

[clippings, photocopies of research, notes], 1966-1983

I.4

10

Carl Vinson: a study in military preparedness by Susan Landrum, 1966

I.4

11

Vinson Navy by Calvin W. Enders, 1970

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I.5

1

Laying the Legislative Foundation: The House Naval Affairs Committee and the Construction of the Treaty Navy, 1926-1934 by Michael A. West, 1980

I.5

2

Carl Vinson: a legend in his own time by Melvin Hill

 

II. Stockstill Papers

4 folder(s)

The Stockstill papers consist of correspondence, clippings, and speeches documenting the relationship between Carl Vinson and Louis and Neta Stockstill. Neta served as a secretary for the U.S. House Armed Services Committee from 1954 until 1974 and Louis was a journalist for Army-Navy Times. The majority of this series is original correspondence between the Stockstills and Vinson from 1962 to 1976. Also included is correspondence between the Stockstills and James Cook while he was conducting research for his book.

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folder

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II.1

1

Stockstill papers [correspondence with James Cook and Sam Nunn, clippings, speeches related to the relationship between the Stocktills and Carl Vinson], 1958-2004

II.1

2

Stockstill-Vinson correspondence, 1962-1968

II.1

3

Stockstill-Vinson correspondence, 1969-1971

II.1

4

Stockstill-Vinson correspondence, 1972-1976

 

III. Other Writings

13 folder(s)

This series consists of research material and copies of several of Cook's other writings including: two school papers related to isolationism and Roosevelt's Quarantine Speech; Cook's dissertation, Politics and Education in the Talmadge Era (1972); and a proof copy of Governors of Georgia.

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folder

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III.1

1

Depression and Dictatorship: a study of the isolationists in the Senate in 1941 by James F. Cook, 1966

III.1

2

Public Reaction to Roosevelt's Quarantine Speech in the Georgia Press by James F. Cook, 1969

III.1

3

Survey Graphic, 1941 September

III.1

4

Investigation by Committee Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, 1941

III.1

5

Georgia Facts and Figures: a source book, 1946

III.1

6

Report on Charges of Political Interference in the University of System of Georgia, 1941

III.1

7

Political Interference of Governor Eugene Talmadge with the Georgia Teachers College, 1941

III.1

8

Report of the Study on Higher Education of Negros in Georgia, 1938

III.1

9

Regents - contemporary [clippings], 1969-1972

III.1

10

Research for Dissertation (folder 1 of 2), 1972

III.1

11

Research for Dissertation (folder 2 of 2), 1972

III.1

12

Governors of Georgia proof (folder 1 of 2), 2004

III.1

13

Governors of Georgia proof (folder 2 of 2), 2004