Parks Rusk Collection of Dean Rusk Papers

Parks Rusk Collection of Dean Rusk Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Parks Rusk Collection of Dean Rusk Papers
Creator: Rusk, Parks
Inclusive Dates: 1891-1985
Language(s): English
Extent: 18 box(es) (8.5 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL167PRDR
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The collection consists of materials relating to Dean Rusk, collected by Rusk's brother, Parks Rusk, from 1935 to 1985. Includes correspondence, speeches, programs and printed material, photographs, and newsclippings documenting his private and public careers. The correspondence includes letters written by Rusk to his family while attending Oxford University (1931-1934), while teaching at Mills College (1934-1940), and while in India and Europe during World War II. The letters reflect his personal activities, plans and feelings, his political views, and his impression of the areas which he visited and of the people with whom he came in contact.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Dean Rusk was born on February 9, 1909 in Cherokee County, Georgia. He attended Lee Street Elementary and Boys' High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Rusk obtained an A.B. degree from Davidson College, North Carolina in 1931, and a B.S. (Rhodes Scholar) and M.A. in 1933 and 1934 from St. John's, Oxford, England. He returned to the United States to become Associate Professor of Government and Dean of Faculty at Mills College, Oakland, California, from 1934 to 1940 and studied law at the University of California, Berkeley, class of 1940.

Rusk served in the United States Army from 1940 to 1946 in the China-Burma-India theater. At first he served with the Third Infantry Division, then later with the Military Intelligence Service. Rusk was released from duty with the rank of colonel.

After his military career ended, Rusk joined the Department of State from 1947 to 1952, as Assistant Secretary of State for United Nations Affairs and for Far Eastern Affairs. From 1952 to 1960 he was president of the Rockefeller Foundation. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Rusk to the office of Secretary of State. He remained in this position until 1969, through the administrations of Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Rusk was in office during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, when East Germany began constructing the Berlin Wall, and as the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was also Secretary of State during the height of the Vietnam Conflict.

In 1970, Rusk came to the University of Georgia's School of Law as the Samuel H. Sibley Professor of International Law, and he later established the Dean Rusk Center for International and Comparative Law. Rusk served the University of Georgia until his death on December 20, 1994.

Rusk married Virginia Foisle in June, 1937. They had three children together, David Patrick, Richard Geary and Margaret Elizabeth. In 1990, As I Saw It , the book he co-authored with his son, Richard, was published.

Scope and Content

The Parks Rusk Collection consists of research materials gathered over the years by Parks Rusk on the subject of his brother, Dean Rusk. Included in the collection is a substantial series of correspondence written by Dean Rusk. Many of these letters were written to his parents and to his sister while he was overseas in the 1930s and early 1940s during a period of schooling and military service. The collection also includes family correspondence and papers (from 1893); family photographs; files of speeches, programs, and printed materials (largely dating from 1947-1983); and a very extensive archive of newspaper and periodical clippings relating to the Secretary of State (mostly 1960-1985, with a few gaps.)

Organization and Arrangement

The collection is organized into five series: I. Correspondence, II. Rusk Family Papers, III. Speeches, Programs, Printed Materials, IV. News Clippings, and V. Photographs. The arrangement of the papers is topical, chronological thereunder, earliest date first.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Parks Rusk Collection of Dean Rusk Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Notes

Photographs have been separated for preservation.

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 permission. 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

Dean Rusk Research Collection

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Dean Rusk Oral Histories, Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, Austin, Texas

Dean Rusk Personal Papers, John F. Kennedy Library, National Archives and Records Administration, Boston, Massachusetts

Dean Rusk Papers, Rockefeller Archive Center, Sleepy Hollow, New York

Dean Rusk Files, Department of State Records, National Archives


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Correspondence

3 folder(s)
Family letters, Dean to parents, Robert Hugh Rusk and Elizabeth Frances Clotfelter Rusk, and to his sister, Mary Margaret Rusk, and other family members, 1931-1951. These letters contain a historical text, tracing the intellectual development of the future Secretary of State. The letters were written while Rusk was at Oxford University (1931-1934), while teaching at Mills College (1934-1940), and while in India and Europe during World War II. They include information on his personal activities, plans and feelings, his political views, and his impression of the areas which he visited and of the people with whom he came in contact. Letters from Virginia Foisie Rusk to the Rusk Family include typed copies of letters from Dean to his wife during his military service in India. The series documents the growth of the three Rusk children and gives descriptions of the family homes and activities. As part of the gift agreement, copies were made of some of the family letters. Originals and copies are placed together. Other letters were received by Russell Library only in copy form.
boxfolder
I.1 1Dean Rusk to parents and sister; early life including Davidson College, Oxford University, Germany
I.1 2After Marriage; Mills College, Military Service in India, Rockefeller Foundation
I.1 3Virginia Foisie (Mrs. D. R.) to Rusk Family
 

II. Rusk Family Papers

2 folders
One folder consists of anecdotes about Dean Rusk and items of family history, some in letters. One folder contains writings by Robert Hugh Rusk, father of Dean Rusk, including an examination paper from Columbia Seminary, 1898, and a paper titled "Types of the Old and New South," 1893.
boxfolder
I.1 4Anecdotes about Dean, other relatives
I.1 5Writings by R. H. Rusk (Dean's father)
 

III. Speeches, Programs, Printed Materials

1 box(es)
(.5 linear feet)
A few items as early as 1935, but mostly dated after 1947. This material consists of transcripts of interview programs, press releases, organizational bulletins, program brochures, invitations, and a few copies of related letters, concerning Dean Rusk. There is a typescript carbon copy of a Rusk speech before the Atlanta Kiwanis Club, June 10, 1947, and a certificate from ROTC training camp at Fort McClellan, July 21, 1930.
boxfolder
III.2 1-6 1930-1983
 

IV. News Clippings

15 box(es)
(7.5 linear feet)
A clipping file relating to Dean Rusk's career makes up the bulk of the collection. They were collected by Parks Rusk over a period of more than fifty years from a wide selection of newspapers and periodicals. Details are provided on nearly every aspect of Dean Rusk's career. These files are a source of documentation on Rusk's role in many major and minor events during the presidential administrations of Kennedy and Johnson (1961-1969). Nearly all are dated and identified as to origin. There are news stories, essays, theme stories, biographical profiles, columns with reference to Rusk, and news photographs.
boxfolder
IV.3 1-25 1930-1959, with gaps
IV.3 26undated, 1950s
boxfolder
IV.4 1-12 November-December 1960
IV.4 3-24 January-February 1961
boxfolder
IV.5 1-6 March 1961
IV.5 7-12 April 1961
IV.5 13-18 May 1961
boxfolder
IV.6 1-4 June 1961
IV.6 5-8 July 1961
IV.6 9-18 August 1961
IV.6 19-22 September 1961
boxfolder
IV.7 1-4 October 1961
IV.7 5-7 November 1961
IV.7 8-14 December 1961
IV.7 151962
IV.7 16-19 January 1962
IV.7 20-22 February 1962
boxfolder
IV.8 1-4 March 1962
IV.8 5-8 April 1962
IV.8 9-12 May 1962
IV.8 13-16 June 1962
IV.8 17-20 July 1962
boxfolder
IV.9 1August, 1962
IV.9 2-4 September 1962
IV.9 5-8 October 1962
IV.9 8-11 November 1962
IV.9 12-15 December 1962
IV.9 161963
IV.9 17-19 January 1963
IV.9 20-23 February 1963
IV.9 24-27 March 1963
boxfolder
IV.10 1-4 April 1963
IV.10 5-7 May 1963
IV.10 8June 1963
IV.10 9-12 July 1963
IV.10 13-18 August 1963
IV.10 19-22 September 1963
IV.10 23-26 October 1963
IV.10 27-30 November 1963
IV.10 31-34 December 1963
boxfolder
IV.11 11964
IV.11 2-4 January 1964
IV.11 5-7 February 1964
IV.11 8-11 March 1964
IV.11 12-13 April 1964
IV.11 14-18 May 1964
IV.11 19-22 June 1964
IV.11 23July 1964
IV.11 24August 1964
IV.11 25September 1964
IV.11 26-27 October 1964
IV.11 28November 1964
IV.11 29-35 December 1964
boxfolder
IV.12 11965
IV.12 2-6 January 1965
IV.12 7February 1965
IV.12 8April 1965
IV.12 9May 1965
IV.12 10June 1965
IV.12 11July 1965
IV.12 12August 1965
IV.12 13September 1965
IV.12 14October 1965
IV.12 15November 1965
IV.12 16-21 December 1965
IV.12 221966
IV.12 23-27 January 1966
IV.12 28-34 February 1966
boxfolder
IV.13 1-3 March 1966
IV.13 4-7 April 1966
IV.13 8-11 May 1966
IV.13 12June 1966
IV.13 13July 1966
IV.13 14August 1966
IV.13 15September 1966
IV.13 16October 1966
IV.13 17November 1966
IV.13 18December 1966
boxfolder
IV.14 11967
IV.14 2-3 January 1967
IV.14 4-6 February 1967
IV.14 7-9 March 1967
IV.14 10-12 April 1967
IV.14 13-15 May 1967
IV.14 16-19 June 1967
IV.14 20July 1967
IV.14 21August 1967
IV.14 22September 1967
IV.14 23October 1967
IV.14 24November 1967
IV.14 25December 1967
boxfolder
IV.15 11968
IV.15 2-4 January 1968
IV.15 5February 1968
IV.15 6-8 March 1968
IV.15 9April 1968
IV.15 10May 1968
IV.15 11June 1968
IV.15 12July 1968
IV.15 13August 1968
IV.15 14September 1968
IV.15 15October 1968
IV.15 16November 1968
IV.15 17December 1968
IV.15 181969
IV.15 191960s, undated (Secretary of State)
IV.15 20January 1969
IV.15 21February 1969
IV.15 22March 1969
boxfolder
IV.16 1-8 May-December 1969
IV.16 9-19 January-December 1970
IV.16 20-30 January-November 1971
IV.16 311972
IV.16 32-43 January-December 1972
IV.16 44-52 January-December 1973
IV.16 531974
IV.16 54-65 January-December 1974
boxfolder
IV.17 11975
IV.17 2-10 January-December 1975
IV.17 111976
IV.17 12-19 March-December 1976
IV.17 20-29 February-December, 1977
IV.17 30-37 February-November 1978
IV.17 38-45 February-December 1979
IV.17 461970s, undated
IV.17 47-49 January, April, November 1980
IV.17 50-52 March, October, November 1980
IV.17 53-57 January-November 1982
IV.17 58-63 January-December 1983
IV.17 64-67 January-November 1984
 

V. Photographs

36 photograph(s)
This series consist mainly of images of Dean Rusk's family - his parents, brothers and sisters.
boxfolder
V.18 PR-PF-01 Family of Colonel James Edward Rusk, circa 1885. ((8x10") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-02 Elizabeth Rusk's family, 1890. ((7"x9") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-03 Robert H. Rusk's class at W. J. Moose, Concord, NC, circa 1905. (negative)
V.18 PR-PF-04 Two women - Elizabeth Rusk, circa 1901. ((4"x5 1/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-05 Davidson College Orchestra - Robert Rusk, circa 1900. ((4"x5 1/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-06 Robert H. Rusk, Woodstock, GA, circa 1890. ((4"x5 3/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-07 Crabapple string band with Robert Rusk, circa 1905. ((5 1/2"x10") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-08 Robert Hugh Rusk. Marietta, GA, circa 1880. ((4"x6") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-09 Robert Hugh Rusk. Louisville, KY, circa 1885. ((4"x5 1/2") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-10 Sixth Grade Lee Street School, Atlanta, GA, 1919. ((5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-11 Small child, circa 1909. ((2"x2 3/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-12 Roger Rusk, circa 1940. ((2"x3", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-13 Helen Rusk graduation day, circa 1928. ((3 1/2"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-14 Margaret and Helen Rusk, May 26, 1936. ((2 3/4"x4 1/2", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-15 Helen Rusk, [?], Margaret Rusk, [?], circa 1936. ((3"x4 3/4", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-16 Helen and Richard Orr, circa 1938. ((3 1/2"x5", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-17 Virginia and Dean Rusk, 1938. ((3 1/2"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-18 Family of Robert Rusk, 1938. ((3 1/2"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-19 Rusk family on porch, 1938. ((3 1/2"x5", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-20 Roger Rusk, Richard Orr, Parks Rusk, Dean Rusk, 1938. ((3 1/2"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-21 Dean Rusk in military uniform, circa 1943. ((4"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-22 Jane Rusk's tombstone, circa 1940. ((3 1/2"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-23 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rusk, circa 1938. ((2 3/4"x4 1/2") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-24 Robert Rusk, circa 1940. ((3 1/4"x4 1/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-25 Elizabeth Rusk, circa 1940. ((3 1/4"x4 1/4") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-26 Robert and Elizabeth Rusk with their grandson David, circa 1940. ((3 1/4"x5") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-27 Dean and Virginia Rusk, Parks Rusk, 1954. ((5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-28 Dean Rusk, Elizabeth Rusk, and two boys, circa 1960. ((3 1/2"x5", 5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-29 Dean Rusk and Melvin Eaves - 4th grade, 1917. ((5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-30 Piedmont Bank and Trust Company, Davidson, NC, 1930. ((5"x7", 8"x10") negativeS)
V.18 PR-PF-31 Robert Rusk's grandchildren, circa 1960. ((5"3 1/2"))
V.18 PR-PF-32 Portrait of Dean Rusk, 1982. ((5"x7") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-33 Dean Rusk at gravestone of his great-grandmother, Jane Rusk, 1976. ((8"x10") negative)
V.18 PR-PF-34 Dean Rusk in uniform with son, circa 1941. ((2"x3"))
V.18 PR-PF-35 Peggy Rusk in route to her graduation, June 16, 1966. ((3"x3"))
V.18 PR-PF-36 Woman and small child, circa 1959. ((2"x3"))

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641