 Thomas W. Hardwick Papers
Collection DescriptionBiographical NoteThomas William Hardwick was born on December 9, 1872, in Thomas County, Georgia, to Robert W. Hardwick and Zemula Schley Hardwick. He received his AB from Mercer University in 1892 and his BL from Lumpkin Law School, University of Georgia, in 1893. First elected to the state legislature as a representative of Washington County in 1898, he then advanced to the US House of Representatives from the 10th District from 1903 until 1914. He was then elected to the US Senate to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Augustus O. Bacon. While in the senate, Hardwick became known for his strong opposition to President Woodrow Wilson's war preparedness legislation. Defeated for renomination to that office in the Democratic primary in 1918, he returned to the political field two years later as candidate for Governor of Georgia and was elected to the term June 1921-June 1923. He failed to win a second term. As governor, Hardwick attempted prison reform, issuing an executive order against the prevalent practice of flogging convicts. Hardwick had a program of economy and simplification of state government, as well as the reorganization of state-supported higher educational institutions into a system controlled by a Board of Regents. But the state legislature would not pass his recommendations. It was also while serving as governor that Hardwick had the courage to denounce the then powerful Ku Klux Klan, branding it a lawless organization for which there could be no excuse in a civilized state. Seeking re-election as governor, he was defeated by Cliff Walker, who had the support of the Klan. Following his term as governor, Hardwick was assistant to the attorney general of the United States from July 1923 to May 1924. Later he served as a representative of the Russian government, before the United States resumed diplomatic relations with Russia, and worked for this country's recognition of the Soviet Union. Thomas Hardwick endeavored more than once to make a comeback in Georgia politics, but without success. During this time, he did maintain his law practice with offices in Atlanta, Sandersville, and Washington, D.C. He married Maude Perkins on April 25, 1894, who died on July 12, 1937. They had one daughter, Mary Hardwick Rawlings. Hardwick remarried in 1938 to Sallie Warren West. He died on January 31, 1944, in Sandersville, Georgia. Scope and ContentThe Thomas W. Hardwick Papers document the political life of Hardwick. This collection chronicles his political interests and his legal profession. Although Hardwick was active politically for most of his adult life, the majority of these papers reflect Hardwick's influence after he held any elected office. For example, he ran against Eugene Talmadge for the office of governor in 1932 and was defeated. Afterwards, he became a strong supporter and political ally of Talmadge, offering advice to the governor on several occasions. The papers consist of legal files and personal papers. Types of materials include correspondence, speeches, personal manuscripts, newspaper clippings, printed materials, and photographs. Since there was no original order to the collection, arrangement, including folder headings, had to be created. Unfortunately, the papers are fragmentary. But in these fragments, Hardwick's philosophy and political beliefs are evident. Organization and ArrangementThe papers are divided into three series: Political, Legal Cases and Personal. Arrangement is chronological. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationThomas W. Hardwick Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia. User RestrictionsLibrary acts as "fair use" reproduction agent. Copyright InformationBefore 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 PublicationFinding aid prepared on: 2000. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject TermsRelated Collections in this Repository
Lamartine G. Hardman Collection Richard B. Russell, Sr. Papers Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection Related Collections in Other RepositoriesJudge E. K. Lumpkin papers and E. Merton Coulter papers, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries. Rebecca Latimer Felton Papers, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Thomas E. Watson Papers, Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||