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Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers | |
| Creator: Howard, Buckner, III | |
| Creator: Rusk, Dean, 1909-1994 | |
| Creator: Gerald, Rafshoon | |
| Creator: Jordan, Hamilton | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1961-1988 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 3 box(es) (3 linear feet, 7 audio recordings) | |
| Collection Number: RBRL402 | |
| Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies | |
| Abstract: Philip H. Alston was a supporter of Jimmy Carter during two gubernatorial campaigns and Carter's 1976 presidential campaign. He later served as the U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 1977-1979 and the U.S. Ambassador to Nauru from 1979-1981. This collection documents his political and diplomatic career. | |
Collection Description
Biographical Note
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 19, 1911, Philip H. Alston earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1932 and his law degree from Emory University in 1934. He later served in the military from 1942-1944, during which time he transported troops to Omaha Beach on D-Day. Alston was an early supporter of Jimmy Carter starting in 1966. He was active in Carter's gubernatorial campaigns of 1966 and 1970, and presidential campaign of 1976. After his efforts in the latter, the Carter administration awarded him with an ambassadorial post in Australia, where he served from 1977 to 1979, after which he served as ambassador to the small island nation of Nauru from 1979 to 1981. Outside of politics Alston led an active social life. He dutifully kept in touch with his relatives and friends in Atlanta during his time abroad, especially their relations the Cushman family. He also actively worked with a few charities and nonprofits in Atlanta, and raised large sums of money for his alma mater, UGA. Alston passed away on March 2, 1988.
Scope and Content
This collection includes documents, photographs, news clippings, and other items that detail his political career as well as his personal life. These documents pertain to his time campaigning for Jimmy Carter, working as an ambassador for Australia and Nauru, and his return to Atlanta, Georgia. The collection also keeps a record on the networks of elite and powerful Georgians, as well as UGA alumni in the late twentieth century.
Organization and Arrangement
Series 1: Personal Files - This group of documents focuses on Alston's personal correspondence from 1961-1987, covering the breadth of his time working with the Carters, his time in Australia and Nauru, as well as his return to the United States. These documents provide an informal pictorial and written record of Alston's life as an ambassador, as well as a network of friends and colleagues he left behind in Atlanta.
Series 2: Jimmy Carter Files - This series contains many financial records of fundraising for the Carter presidential campaign, as well as some documentation related to the construction and development of the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Items in this series range from 1967-1987
Series 3: Ambassador Files - These records mostly focus on official political reports on Australia and Nauru, suggestions for appointments, as well as discussion of contemporary political issues that had the potential to affect the Carter administration from 1977 to 1987. This series also includes multiple news clippings, demonstrating the public perception of Alston's time as ambassador, as well as Jimmy Carter's time as president.
Administrative Information
Conditions Govering Access
This collection is open for research.
Preferred citation
Philip H. Alston, Jr. Papers. Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.
Copyright Information
Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
Finding Aid Publication
Finding Aid prepared by Sophia N. Queen, 2019-07-08.