Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup E, Series III: Scrapbooks

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup E, Series III: Scrapbooks

Descriptive Summary

Title: Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup E, Series III: Scrapbooks
Creator: Russell, Richard B. (Richard Brevard), 1897-1971
Inclusive Dates: 1930-1971
Language(s): English
Extent: 32 box(es) (143 volumes, 16 microfilm reels)
Collection Number: RBRL001RBR_E_III
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Subgroup E, Series III: 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.

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

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.

Organization and Arrangement

The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.


Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

None.

Preferred Citation

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

Processing Notes

The majority of the scrapbooks have been microfilmed.

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: 2008.


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


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

Subgroup E. Related Materials

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.



III. Scrapbooks, 1930-1971

( 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.)
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1Volume 1 - Governor Campaign [Microfilm Reel 1], June 6, 1932-1934
1Volume 2 [Microfilm Reel 1], 1935-1943
1Volume 3 [Microfilm Reel 1], July 1937-December 1940
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2Volume 4 [Microfilm Reel 1], 1942-1945
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35Volume 5 - Overseas Tour clippings [Microfilm Reel 1], 1943
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2Volume 5 - Overseas Tour clippings, photocopy [Microfilm Reel 1]
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36Volume 6 - Overseas Tour photographs [Microfilm Reel 1], 1943
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2Volume 7 [Microfilm Reel 1], March 1946-August 1947
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3Volume 8 [Microfilm Reel 2], September 2, 1946-April 9, 1948
3Volume 9 [Microfilm Reel 2], April-July 16, 1948
3Volume 10 - Democratic Convention clippings [Microfilm Reel 2], June 20-July 26, 1948
3Volume 11 [Microfilm Reel 2], July 26-November 15, 1948
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4Volume 12 [Microfilm Reel 2], November 15, 1948-March 14, 1949
4Volume 13 [Microfilm Reel 2], March 14, 1949-August 24, 1950
4Volume 14 [Microfilm Reel 2], August 25, 1949-February 28, 1950
4Volume 15 [Microfilm Reel 2], March-June 22, 1950
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5Volume 16 [Microfilm Reel 3], June 22-November 27, 1950
5Volume 17 [Microfilm Reel 3], November 1950-February 18, 1951
5Volume 18 [Microfilm Reel 3], February 19-June 30, 1951
5Volume 19 - MacArthur Inquiry [Microfilm Reel 3], April 13-May 5, 1951
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6Volume 20 - MacArthur Inquiry [Microfilm Reel 3], May 5-30, 1951
6Volume 21 - MacArthur Inquiry [Microfilm Reel 3], June-September 5, 1951
6Volume 22 [Microfilm Reel 3], July-December 31, 1951
6Volume 23 [Microfilm Reel 3], January 2-February 26, 1952
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7Volume 24 [Microfilm Reel 3], February 26-29, 1952
7Volume 25 - Presidential Campaign in Florida [Microfilm Reel 3], March-May 1952
7Volume 26 - Presidential Campaign in Florida [Microfilm Reel 3], March-May 1952
7Volume 27 [Microfilm Reel 3], March 1-26, 1952
7Volume 28 [Microfilm Reel 3], March 6-17, 1952
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8Volume 29 [Microfilm Reel 4], March 17-27, 1952
8Volume 30 [Microfilm Reel 4], March 29-31, 1952
8Volume 31 [Microfilm Reel 4], April 1-11, 1952
8Volume 32 [Microfilm Reel 4], April 11-23, 1952
8Volume 33 [Microfilm Reel 4], April 24-30, 1952
8Volume 34 [Microfilm Reel 4], May 1-4, 1952
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9Volume 35 [Microfilm Reel 4], May 5-13, 1952
9Volume 36 [Microfilm Reel 4], May 14-21, 1952
9Volume 37 [Microfilm Reel 4], May 22-29, 1952
9Volume 38 [Microfilm Reel 4], May 29-June 5, 1952
9Volume 39 [Microfilm Reel 4], June 6-10, 1952
9Volume 40 [Microfilm Reel 4], June 11-14, 1952
9Volume 41 [Microfilm Reel 4], June 15-18, 1952
9Volume 42 [Microfilm Reel 4], June 19-22, 1952
9Volume 43 [Microfilm Reel 4], June 23-26, 1952
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10Volume 44 [Microfilm Reel 5], June 27-30, 1952
10Volume 45 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 1-5, 1952
10Volume 46 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 6-9, 1952
10Volume 47 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 10-15, 1952
10Volume 48 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 16-19, 1952
10Volume 49 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 19-21, 1952
10Volume 50 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 21-22, 1952
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11Volume 51 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 22-24, 1952
11Volume 52 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 25-27, 1952
11Volume 53 [Microfilm Reel 5], July 28-31, 1952
11Volume 54 [Microfilm Reel 5], August 1-8, 1952
11Volume 55 [Microfilm Reel 5], August 9-21, 1952
11Volume 56 [Microfilm Reel 5], August 22-September 16, 1952
11Volume 57 [Microfilm Reel 5], September 17-October 14, 1952
11Volume 58 [Microfilm Reel 5], October 15-31, 1952
11Volume 59 [Microfilm Reel 5], November 1-13, 1952
11Volume 60 [Microfilm Reel 5], November 13-30, 1952
11Volume 61 [Microfilm Reel 5], December 1-31, 1952
11Volume 62 [Microfilm Reel 5], January 1-28, 1953
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12Volume 63 [Microfilm Reel 6], March 1953
12Volume 64 [Microfilm Reel 6], June-September 18, 1953
12Volume 65 [Microfilm Reel 6], September 19-October 31, 1953
12Volume 66 [Microfilm Reel 6], November-December 1953
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13Volume 67 [Microfilm Reel 6], January-April 9, 1954
13Volume 68 [Microfilm Reel 6], April 10-July 5, 1954
13Volume 69 [Microfilm Reel 6], July 6-October 31, 1954
13Volume 70 [Microfilm Reel 6], November 1954-January 19, 1955
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14Volume 71 [Microfilm Reel 7], January 20-May 31, 1955
14Volume 72 [Microfilm Reel 7], June-August 10, 1955
14Volume 73 [Microfilm Reel 7], August 16-November 26, 1955
14Volume 74 [Microfilm Reel 7], November 27, 1955-February 1956
14Volume 75 [Microfilm Reel 7], February-March 1956
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15Volume 76 [Microfilm Reel 7], April-May 9, 1956
15Volume 77 [Microfilm Reel 7], May 17-June 30, 1956
15Volume 78 [Microfilm Reel 7], July 2-December 30, 1956
15Volume 79 (incomplete) [Microfilm Reel 8], 1956-1957
15Volume 80 [Microfilm Reel 8], January-February 6, 1957
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16Volume 81 [Microfilm Reel 8], February 7-July 10, 1957
16Volume 82 [Microfilm Reel 8], July 10-August 4, 1957
16Volume 83 [Microfilm Reel 8], August 4-October 10, 1957
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17Volume 84 [Microfilm Reel 8], October 10-February 7, 1958
17Volume 85 [Microfilm Reel 9], February 7-October 21, 1958
17Volume 86 [Microfilm Reel 9], October 21, 1958-February 28, 1959
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18Volume 87 [Microfilm Reel 9], March-September 29, 1959
18Volume 88 [Microfilm Reel 9], September 17, 1959-February 18, 1960
18Volume 89 [Microfilm Reel 9], February 18-April 7, 1960
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19Volume 90 [Microfilm Reel 10], April 7-August 31, 1960
19Volume 91 [Microfilm Reel 10], September 1960-January 1961
19Volume 92 [Microfilm Reel 10], February-June 1961
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20Volume 93 [Microfilm Reel 10], July 6-December 12, 1961
20Volume 94 [Microfilm Reel 10], December 11, 1961-April 9, 1962
20Volume 95 [Microfilm Reel 11], April 8-July 29, 1962
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21Volume 96 [Microfilm Reel 11], July 26-October 24, 1962
21Volume 97 [Microfilm Reel 11], October 16, 1962-February 24, 1963
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OS 2Pamphlet: "Program of Unveiling of Busts of Four Chief Justices of The Supreme Court of Georgia" [separated from Scrapbook vol. 97, p. 48 and replaced with a photocopy], 1963 January 7
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21Volume 98 [Microfilm Reel 11], February 6-June 28, 1963
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22Volume 99 [Microfilm Reel 12], June 28-September 11, 1963
22Volume 100 [Microfilm Reel 12], September 11-November 30, 1963
22Volume 101 [Microfilm Reel 12], December 1963-January 1964
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23Volume 102 [Microfilm Reel 12], January 30-March 12, 1964
23Volume 103 [Microfilm Reel 12], March 13-April 17, 1964
23Volume 104 [Microfilm Reel 12], April 18-May 18, 1964
23Volume 105 [Microfilm Reel 12], May 18-June 12, 1964
23Volume 106 [Microfilm Reel 12], June 13-20, 1964
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24Volume 107 [Microfilm Reel 13], June 20-July 19, 1964
24Volume 108 [Microfilm Reel 13], July 19-August 19, 1964
24Volume 109 [Microfilm Reel 13], August 19-October 3, 1964
24Volume 110 [Microfilm Reel 13], October 2-November 14, 1964
24Volume 111 [Microfilm Reel 13], November 14-December 10, 1964
24Volume 112 [Microfilm Reel 13], December 11, 1964-January 30, 1965
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25Volume 113 [Microfilm Reel 13], April 2-June 30, 1965
25Volume 114 [Microfilm Reel 13], May 21-August 31, 1965
25Volume 115 [Microfilm Reel 13], September-October 22, 1965
25Volume 116 [Microfilm Reel 13], October 23-December 17, 1965
25Volume 117 [Microfilm Reel 14], November 21, 1965-February 6, 1966
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26Volume 118 [Microfilm Reel 14], 1965-1966
26Volume 119 [Microfilm Reel 14], February 10-March 26, 1966
26Volume 120 [Microfilm Reel 14], March 25-May 6, 1966
26Volume 121 [Microfilm Reel 14], May 6-June 23, 1966
26Volume 122 [Microfilm Reel 14], August 3, 1966-January 13, 1967
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27Volume 123 [Microfilm Reel 14], January 15-May 18, 1967
27Volume 124 [Microfilm Reel 14], May 20-August 31, 1967
27Volume 125 [Microfilm Reel 15], September 2, 1967-February 20, 1968
27Volume 126 [Microfilm Reel 15], February 16-June 26, 1968
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28Volume 127 [Microfilm Reel 15], July-November 11, 1968
28Volume 128 [Microfilm Reel 15], November 11, 1968-January 9, 1969
28Volume 129 [Microfilm Reel 15], January 9-March 21, 1969
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29Volume 130 [Microfilm Reel 15], March 21-April 28, 1969
29Volume 131 [Microfilm Reel 15], April 20-June 30, 1969
29Volume 132 [Microfilm Reel 15], July-September 27, 1969
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30Volume 133 [Microfilm Reel 15], September 28-December 10, 1969
30Volume 134 [Microfilm Reel 16], December 5, 1969-February 9, 1970
30Volume 135 [Microfilm Reel 16], February 9-April 2, 1970
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31Volume 136 [Microfilm Reel 16], April 2-June 11, 1970
31Volume 137 [Microfilm Reel 16], June 11-August 30, 1970
31Volume 138 [Microfilm Reel 16], September-October 29, 1970
31Volume 139 [Microfilm Reel 16], October 29, 1970-January 21, 1971
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32Volume 140 - Funeral Coverage Atlanta Journal Constitution [Microfilm Reel 16], January 21-26, 1971
32Volume 141 - Georgia Reports [Microfilm Reel 16], January 22-31, 1971
32Volume 142 - Out of State Papers [Microfilm Reel 16], January-February 3, 1971
32Volume 143 - Editorials regarding the Senator's death [Microfilm Reel 16], December 1970-February 1971
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33Volume 144- Clippings and Funeral Coverage, circa 1971
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34Volume 145- Elect Russell for President, circa 1952
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37Volume 146- R.B. Russell, Sr. , 1932 June 4, 1938
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38Volume 147 - Inspection trip of Richard B. Russell covering European Theater of Operations, 1943 July 31-August 5

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