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Table of Contents
| Descriptive Summary |
| 1 | Collection Description |
| Administrative Information |
| Related Materials and Subjects |
| Series Descriptions and Folder Listing |
| Series I. Lieutenant Governor 1958-1962 |
| Series II. Political 1954-1991 |
| Series III. Personal 1942-1997 |
| Series IV. Photographs 1927-1993 |
| Series V. Artifacts 1947-1993 |
| Series VI. Audiovisual Materials 1960, undated |
Garland T. Byrd Papers
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Garland T. Byrd Papers | |
| Creator: Byrd, Garland T. (Garland Turk), 1924-1997 | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1927-1997 | |
| Bulk Dates: 1954-1966 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 18 box(es) 4 audiovisual items | |
| Collection Number: RBRL298 | |
| Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Garland Turk Byrd was born July 16, 1924, in Reynolds, Taylor County, Georgia, son of Dock E. and May B. Byrd. He was a 1941 graduate of Reynolds High School and, in 1942, entered the U.S. Army. He served in the 163rd Engineers Combat Battalion during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1945 at the rank of captain and, following the war, served as a major in the Georgia National Guard and as a state Judge Advocate.
On August 22, 1946, Byrd married Gloria Whatley, also of Reynolds. He later attended the University of Georgia (1946-1948) and received an LL.B from Emory School of Law in 1949.
Byrd first entered politics in 1946 with a successful run as a Democrat for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. He served until 1949 when he resigned to become assistant director of the State Veterans Service Department (1949-1952). From 1948 to 1958, he served as the president of the Young Democratic Clubs of Georgia. Byrd ran unsuccessfully for Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture in 1954.
From 1959 to 1963, Byrd served as Georgia's fourth lieutenant governor under Governor Ernest Vandiver. As President of the Senate, Byrd presided over debate on a variety of legislative issues, notably efforts to reduce state spending and balance the budget. Other issues he supported included improvements to mental health care, the growth of the community college system and school segregation. With aspirations to succeed Vandiver, Byrd entered the governor's race in 1961 but was forced to suspend his campaign in May 1962 after suffering a heart attack. Later that year, he was elected State Senator from Georgia's 17th district.
In 1964, Byrd was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative from Georgia's 3rd congressional district, besting Stephen Pace in the primary, but ultimately losing to Republican Howard "Bo" Callaway. Byrd went on to run for governor once again in 1966 but came in fifth in the Democratic primary.
Throughout his life, Byrd engaged in a number of enterprises, including farming, real estate, and banking. He practiced law with offices initially in Butler, Georgia, and, in 1969, founded the law firm of Byrd, Groover & Buford, with partners Denmark Groover and Floyd Buford, Sr.
The Byrds had two children, Garland T., Jr., and Charles W. Gloria Byrd died July 28, 1995. Garland Byrd died on May 31, 1997.
Scope and Content
The Garland T. Byrd Papers document Byrd's public life, notably his term as Georgia's lieutenant governor and his several campaigns for state and national office. The collection includes correspondence, speeches, bills and resolutions, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, campaign memorabilia, and select awards and other artifacts. The bulk of the collection is comprised of letters written to Byrd from constituents, friends, and his family and files related to his campaigns.
Organization and Arrangement
The papers are arranged in six series: I. Lieutenant Governor; II. Political; III. Personal; IV. Photographs; V. Artifacts; and VI. Audiovsual Materials.
Administrative Information
Preferred citation
Garland T. Byrd 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.
Conditions Governing Use
Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.
Related Materials and Subjects
Subject Terms
Related Collections in this Repository
S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. Papers
Harold Paulk (Hal) Henderson, Sr. Oral History Collection
Howard H. (Bo) Callaway Papers
Clifford H. (Baldy) Baldowski Editorial Cartoons