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William H. (Bill) Burson Papers

William H. (Bill) Burson Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: William H. (Bill) Burson Papers
Creator: Burson, William H. (Bill), 1928-1997.
Inclusive Dates: 1933-1997
Language(s): English
Extent: 6 box(es) (11 linear feet), 28 scrapbooks, 158 photographs, and 3 sound recordings
Collection Number: RBRL206WHB
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: This collection documents the life of William H. (Bill) Burson (1928-1997) and the various positions he held under Senator Herman Talmadge; Governors Carl Sanders, Lester Maddox, and Jimmy Carter; and Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller. Burson graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Journalism in 1948 and served as a war correspondent in the Korean War. After the war, Burson served as an aide to Senator Herman Talmadge and later to Governor Carl Sanders. In 1967, the newly elected governor, Lester Maddox, appointed him to be director of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services. Over the next three years Burson fought a "War on Hunger" attempting to create food stamps programs across Georgia. Burson was elected as State Treasurer in 1970 and campaigned for the U.S. Senate in 1972. After losing the senatorial campaign, Burson worked as a lobbyist for business interests in the Southeast. In 1975, he became Zell Miller's administrative and special assistant, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. The collection is comprised primarily of twenty-five scrapbooks that detail Burson's life and career from 1933 to 1991. Also included are photographs, editorial cartoons, books, certificates, and plaques.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

William H. (Bill) Burson was born July 31, 1928 in Thomaston, Georgia, located in Upson County. After attending primary and secondary school with outstanding performance, Burson graduated as valedictorian from Robert E. Lee Institute in 1945. He worked at the Thomaston Times and wrote for various local papers before he was accepted into the University of Georgia's school of journalism. Burson quickly climbed the ranks as a writer for the campus newspaper, The Red and Black, and was active in many student organizations. By the time he graduated with a BA in journalism in 1948, he had achieved numerous honors and been inducted into several honorary fraternities.

From college, Burson jumped into the world of journalism as a staff correspondent for the United Press International. Most of his work focused on the actions of the Georgia legislature and the then Governor Herman Talmadge. Soon he was transferred to Mississippi to act as a bureau manager. In 1951, Burson served as a war correspondent while on the frontlines with the U.S. 7th Infantry Division in the Korean War. When he returned stateside, he continued to serve as bureau manager until 1953 when he resigned to serve as an administrative aide to Governor Talmadge. After a year, Burson went on to be the Press Secretary for Georgia House Speaker Fred Hand's campaign for governor. Next he served as Executive Secretary for Attorney General Eugene Cook and subsequently was appointed director of information for the Associated Industries of Georgia (AIG) in 1955. In 1956, Burson withdrew from AIG and returned to Talmadge's staff as an editorial assistant before Talmadge announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. The launch of the campaign allowed Burson to take on the role of Press Secretary, his writing skills used to craft speeches and public statements.

Burson continued to serve as Senator Talmadge's executive aide and press secretary until 1962 when he left to serve as the assistant to James L. Bentley, the Comptroller General of Georgia. In 1963, Burson resigned to work as an aide to Governor Carl E. Sanders. Later in the year, he was appointed the Director of the State Board of Probation while still acting as a speech writer for Governor Sanders. As director, he created significant reforms that brought notice to his achievements. In July of 1965, Burson left the probation department to become the assistant to the Atlanta Postal Region Director, within the United States Post Office Department. While in this post, Burson helped to produce speeches for Lester Maddox, most notably his inaugural speech for governor.

In 1967, Burson became Director of the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFACS). Burson's appointment was not well received by the state senate, which fought to delay his confirmation hearing. After much debate the senate agreed to confirm Burson as long as "a spirit of harmony and cooperation" could be maintained between DFACS contacts and members of the General Assembly. At this station, Burson created controversy by pushing to create strong welfare programs, such as his "War on Hunger" that attempted to establish food stamps programs in all of Georgia's counties. New welfare programs were heavily criticized by members of the state senate due to DFACS increased funding needs and concerns about programs encouraging illegitimate children. Burson countered these apprehensions by suggesting that the only way to discourage illegitimacy is through sex education, advice and information about birth control, and job training for unwed mothers. Public discussions and support of both birth control and sex education, along with Burson's support of voluntary sterilization of welfare recipients, increased criticism of DFACS programs.

On May 19, 1970, after several tumultuous years promoting welfare reform in Georgia, Bill Burson submitted his resignation to DFACS in order to be eligible to run for state treasurer. He ran a campaign with little funding, using the family station wagon to traverse the state. After a successful campaign, he was sworn in as the new state treasurer by Governor Jimmy Carter in January 1971. As treasurer Burson was critical of the way that Georgia handled its investments and supported the abolition of the treasury office in Carter's plan for government reorganization. However, Burson greatly disapproved of moving the treasury position to the State Department of Administration, where he felt it would lose the power to oversee necessary fiscal reform. Under increasing criticism for his financial policies Burson began his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Richard B. Russell at his death in 1971.

Burson's senatorial campaign had a difficult beginning, as the General Assembly voted to abolish the Treasury Department; Burson began his campaign and refused to abdicate the office. Burson announced that his campaign would begin with a "walk for Congress," a 1,000 mile walk from Rabun Gap to Tybee Light. Burson campaigned for children to have the right to attend the closest school to their home, for parents to have the right to enroll their children in any school with vacancies, for it to be a federal offense to assault or murder a police officer, and for the minimum Social Security payment to be increased. In August 1972, his bid for the Senate ended in the senatorial primary where the run-off came down to David Gambrell and Sam Nunn, who later won the general election against Republican opponent Fletcher Thompson.

Upon returning to the Treasury Department, Burson filed suit to prevent the abolition of the treasurer's position. Repeated attempts were made to remove him from his office, but none were successful until the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that his position had been lawfully eliminated.

After the elimination of his position in the Treasury Department, Burson briefly worked for the State and Local Program Office of the National Federation of Independent Business. In 1975, he was offered an appointment as Administrative Assistant, then Special Assistant (1983-1991), to Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller, and went on to serve as Miller's senatorial campaign coordinator. As Special Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor, Burson was responsible for researching and writing speeches, answering correspondence, and constituent casework. Burson applied for retirement in February 1991 after Miller's gubernatorial inauguration. In retirement Burson worked part-time as a publications clerk at the Institute of Paper Science and Technology.

Bill Burson passed away on November 11, 1997 at the age of 69; Governor Zell Miller spoke at his funeral. He was married to Lila Laverne Womble, and they had three children - Forrest Brooks, Nancy Leigh, and Mildred Louise (Lu).

Scope and Content

The majority of the collection is a series of twenty-five scrapbooks compiled by Burson, containing multiple artifacts, photographs, programs, speeches, correspondence, and clippings. The scrapbooks are arranged in chronological order and detail Burson's background and the many positions he held throughout his lifetime. The volumes contain information regarding his education, various fraternal and academic organizations to which he belonged, appointments to various positions including Director of the State Department of Family and Children Services, his election to the position of State Treasurer and 1972 senatorial campaign, and his years spent as a special assistant to Governor Zell Miller. Topics include the Korean War, taxes, education, welfare and food programs, Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, birth control, sex education, financial reform, National Federation of Independent Business, Governor Jimmy Carter's government reorganization plan, Herman Talmadge, Carl Sanders, Lester Maddox and Zell Miller.

Additional materials include one hundred and fifty-eight photographs of Bill Burson at various events at the University of Georgia and the Post Office Department. There is also a photo of Burson as a small child and one photograph of his marriage to Laverne Womble. Certificates, commissions, diplomas, and plaques document Burson's many achievements at the University of Georgia, State Department of Family and Children Services, and as State Treasurer. Seven original editorial cartoons by Clifford (Baldy) Baldowski, Bill Daniels, David Boyd, and Eric Devericks depict the difficulties Burson's faced at the State Department of Family and Children Services and his 1972 senatorial campaign. There are eight yearbooks from Burson's time at Robert E. Lee Grammar School, Robert E. Lee Institute (1942-1945), and the University of Georgia (1946-1948).

Organization and Arrangement

The papers are organized into six series: scrapbooks; plaques and certificates; photographs; editorial cartoons; books; and audiovisual items. Photographs and certificates removed from the scrapbooks for preservation purposes are housed in their corresponding series. The series are arranged chronologically.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

William H. (Bill) Burson Scrapbooks, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Notes

Scrapbooks have been microfilmed and photographs have been separated to preserve content.

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: 2009.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Associated Industries of Georgia
Audiovisual materials
Baldowski, Clifford H., 1917-1999
Bentley, James Lynnwood, 1927-2003.
Birth control.
Bolton, Arthur K., 1922-1997.
Boyd, David.
Carter, Jimmy, 1924-
Cartoonists -- Georgia.
Daniels, William (Bill).
Devericks, Eric.
Korean War, 1950-1953.
Maddox, Lester G., 1915-2003.
Miller, Zell Bryan, 1932-2018
Photographs.
Press and politics -- Georgia.
Sanders, Carl Edward, 1925-
Sex instruction
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.
Talmadge, Herman E. (Herman Eugene), 1913-2002
Taxation.
University of Georgia

Related Collections in this Repository

Clifford Hodges Brewton Collection of Lester G. Maddox Speech/Press Research Files

Thomas Gresham Collection of Lester Maddox Speech/Press Files

David Gambrell U.S. Senatorial Election of 1972 Materials

Howard H. (Bo) Callaway Papers

Lewis R. Morgan Papers

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Janet B. Scarborough Merritt Papers

Clifford H. (Baldy) Baldowski Editorial Cartoons

Carl E. Sanders Papers

Arthur K. Bolton Scrapbooks

James L. Bentley, Jr. Papers

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Governor, Executive Department Records, Georgia Department of Archives and History

Doc 6823: Governor - '71-'72 Reorganization Study - Advisory Commission Correspondence, Georgia Department of Archives and History

Treasury Department, Administration Records, Georgia Department of Archives and History

Georgia Dept. of Archives and History, Public Reference Service, File II 4/2/46 DOC 2041: Burges, J. S. - Bustin, B. A. C 54472: Burson, William H., Georgia Department of Archives and History

Department of Family and Children Services Records, Georgia Department of Archives and History


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Scrapbooks

28 scrapbooks and 14 folders
The majority of the collection is a series of twenty-five scrapbooks compiled by Burson, containing multiple artifacts, photographs, programs, papers, correspondence, and clippings. The scrapbooks are arranged in chronological order and detail Burson's background and the many positions he held throughout his lifetime. The volumes contain information regarding his education, various fraternal and academic organizations to which he belonged, appointments to various positions including Director of the State Department of Family and Children Services, his election to the position of State Treasurer and 1972 senatorial campaign, and his years spent as a special assistant to Governor Zell Miller. Topics include the Korean War, taxes, education, welfare and food programs, Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, birth control, sex education, financial reform, National Federation of Independent Business, Governor Jimmy Carter's government reorganization plan, Herman Talmadge, Carl Sanders, Lester Maddox and Zell Miller. Each scrapbook has a summary of the general topics covered, but does not include every topic mentioned. Loose materials found in the scrapbooks have been foldered and described separately. Photographs removed from the scrapbooks for preservation purposes are located in Series III, their original location is noted. Three additional scrapbooks, compiled by Burson's material grandmother, Carrie T. Pitts, include clippings of articles and poetry as well as a few letters and political ephemera related to Herman Talmadge.
volume
1Topics: Burson's childhood and education, including material from the Baptist church [microfilm WHB-reel 1], 1933-1939
volume
2Topics: Robert E. Lee Institute, University of Georgia. Includes photographs and articles [microfilm WHB-reel 1], 1938-1947
volume
3Topics: United Press International articles focusing on Herman Talmadge, voting laws, sales tax, health care, highway development, and education [microfilm WHB-reel 1], 1948 December-1949 March
volume
4Topics: United Press International articles focusing on Herman Talmadge, the Georgia and Mississippi legislatures, and Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright [microfilm WHB-reel 1], 1949 March-1950 January
volume
1Topics: Mississippi legislature, Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright, taxes, health care, welfare, education, highway development, and segregation [microfilm WHB-reel 1], 1950
volume
6Topics: United Press International articles from Mississippi and the Korean War, photographs of soldiers in Korea [microfilm WHB-reel 2], 1950 January-1952 April
volume
7Topics: Fred Hand, Herman Talmadge, Attorney General Eugene Cook, Associated Industries of Georgia (AIG), and the presidential and congressional campaigns of 1952 [microfilm WHB-reel 2], 1952 February-1955 June
volume
1Topics: Associated Industries of Georgia (AIG), Herman Talmadge's senatorial race, James L. Bentley, Carl Sanders, State Board of Probation. Of interest is a telegram from President John F. Kennedy cancelling a lunch date with Mr. and Mrs. Burson [microfilm WHB-reel 2], 1955 July-1965 March
1Topics: State Department of Probation and United States Post Office Department [microfilm WHB-reel 2], 1965 March-1966 June
1Topics: Post Office Department, State Department of Family and Children Services, Lester Maddox. Includes a transcript and draft of Maddox's inaugural speech [microfilm WHB-reel 2], 1966 July-1967 July
volume
11Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs [microfilm WHB-reel 3], 1967-1968
11Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs, foster homes, juvenile detention centers, birth control [microfilm WHB-reel 3], 1968
11Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs, substitute father rule [microfilm WHB-reel 3], 1968-1969
11Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs, substitute father rule, Herman Talmadge and a "hunger tour" [microfilm WHB-reel 3], 1969 February-1969 July
volume
15Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs, Herman Talmadge, free legal aid for the poor [microfilm WHB-reel 3], 1969 July-1969 August
15Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare and food programs, Medicaid, appointment of African Americans to various positions in DFACS [microfilm WHB-reel 4], 1969 August-December
15Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services welfare programs, misdirection of $67,000 welfare funds [microfilm WHB-reel 4], 1969 December-1970 February
15Topics: State Department of Family and Children Services, Planned Parenthood, sex education, campaign for State Treasurer [microfilm WHB-reel 4], 1970 February-June
volume
19Topics: State Treasurer campaign, Jimmy Carter [microfilm WHB-reel 4], 1970 June-November
19Topics: State Treasurer, student loans, banking reforms [microfilm WHB-reel 4], 1970 November-1971 June
19Topics: merging financial departments in Georgia government, Governor Carter's state reorganization plan, 1972 senatorial campaign [microfilm WHB-reel 5], 1971 June-1972 February
19Topics: 1972 senatorial campaign, Burson's 1066 mile walk across the state [microfilm WHB-reel 5], 1972 March-August
volume
23Topics: 1972 senatorial campaign, abolition of state treasurer position, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), certificates and diplomas [microfilm WHB-reel 5], 1940s, 1972 September-1973 November
23Topics: National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Administrative Assistant to Lt. Governor Zell Miller [microfilm WHB-reel 5], 1973 December-1983 February
23Topics: Administrative Assistant to Lt. Governor Zell Miller [microfilm WHB-reel 5], 1983 April-1991 February
box
6[Carrie T. Pitts scrapbooks] , 1910s-1958
boxfolder
11Articles written by Burson as a correspondent for United Press International during the Korean War, circa 1951
12Articles and drafts written by Burson as a correspondent for United Press International during the Korean War [removed from scrapbook vol. 23], 1951
13Statement of Associated Industries of Georgia to State Program Study Committee [removed from scrapbook vol. 7], 1955 April 30, 1955 May 7
14[Letters sent from Burson to DFACS staff regarding the food assistance programs and the substitute father rule], 1967-1968
15[Telegrams regarding the substitute father rule], 1968
16[Clipping regarding hungry Georgians], 1968
17[Press release, remarks before the Georgia General Assembly Appropriations Committees], 1970
18Proof, Great Georgians by Zell Miller, circa 1983
19Proofs, They Heard Georgia Singing by Zell Miller (folder 1 of 2), circa 1984
110Proofs, They Heard Georgia Singing by Zell Miller (folder 2 of 2), circa 1984
111Burson's resume and performance review for Institute of Paper Science and Technology, 1992
112Proofs, Corps Values by Zell Miller, 1996
113Clippings, 1997 November
114Program, Bill Burson's funeral service, 1997 November 15
136State Treasury Department memorandums, 1971
 

II. Plaques and Certificates

5 plaques and 17 certificates
Certificates, commissions, diplomas, and plaques document Burson's many achievements at the University of Georgia, State Department of Family and Children Services, and as State Treasurer. Included are certificates from Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Delta Chi, Sphinx Club, Who's Who among Students, and Burson's diploma from The University of Georgia. There are three commissions documenting his appointment as Director of the State Department of Family and Children Services and as a member of the State Board for Children and Youth. Also of interest is the first state Treasury Department check with William H. Burson listed as State Treasurer.
boxfolder
115Diploma, Robert E. Lee Institute, 1945
116Certificate, Sigma Delta Chi member, 1946 May
117Certificate, Who's Who Among Students, 1947
118Certificate, Blue Key, 1947
119Certificate, Omicron Delta Kappa, 1947 October
120Certificate Phi Kappa Phi, 1948
121Certificate, Citation of Achievement Sigma Delta Chi, 1948 June
122Certificate, Sphinx Club, University of Georgia, 1948 April 18
123Certificate, Phi Beta Kappa Society, University of Georgia, 1948
boxfolder
OS 17Diploma, University of Georgia [oversize item], 1948
OS 17Commission, Burson ex-officio member of the State Board for Children and Youth [oversize item], 1963 November
OS 17Commission, Burson Director of Department of Family and Children Services [oversize item], 1967 June
OS 17Commission, Burson member and chairman of the State Board for Children and Youth [oversize item], 1967 June
box
4Plaque, Georgia Speaker of the Year [oversize], 1968
boxfolder
124Certificate, Rural Service Award from the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), 1968
125Commendation for serving as Director of DFACS, 1970
126Certificate, Burson nominated to run in the General Election for State Treasurer, 1970 September 17
boxfolder
OS 11Back Burson He Fights campaign sign for treasurer [oversize item], 1970
OS 17Certificate, elected to office of State Treasurer [oversize item], 1970 November 3
box
4Plaque, Burson Buck [oversize], 1970
4Plaque, Georgia State Department of Family and Children Services, presented by the Department Employees [oversize], 1970
4Plaque, Georgia State Department of Family and Children Services, presented by the Georgia County Welfare Association [oversize], 1970
boxfolder
127First State Treasury Department check with Burson named treasurer, 1971
boxfolder
OS 12Commission, Burson State Treasurer of Georgia [oversize item], 1971 January 12
box
2Desk plaque, Bill Burson, Administrative Assistant, circa 1975-1982
2Bill Burson and William H. Burson name stamps, undated
box
5Samsonite Briefcase with Burson's Initials, undated
 

III. Photographs

158 photograph(s)
One hundred and fifty-eight photographs depict Bill Burson at various events at the University of Georgia and the Post Office Department. There is also a photo of Burson as a small child and one photograph of his marriage to Laverne Womble. The scrapbooks include many other photographs documenting Burson's life from the 1930s to his retirement in 1991.
boxfolder
31Portrait of Bill Burson, circa 1930. (1 (8x10) color)
32Portrait of Burson as a boy [removed from volume 2], circa 1938-1942. (1 (3.5x5) b/w)
33Portrait of Bill Burson, circa 1940s. (1 (8x10) b/w)
34Portrait of Bill Burson, 1940s. (1 (5x7) b/w)
35Burson with two unidentified people at the University of Georgia [removed from volume 2], circa 1946-1948. (2 (2.5x3.5) b/w)
36Burson is one of 12 men initiated by Blue Key, National Honorary Society at the University of Georgia [removed from volume 2], circa 1946-1948. (1 negative)
37Sigma Delta Chi President Burson congratulates new GSPA officers [removed from volume 2], circa 1946-1948. (1 (8x10) b/w, 1 negative)
38Burson and 2 unidentified people looking at teletype machine, News Bureau University of Georgia, circa 1946-1948. (1 (8x10) b/w)
39Bob Joiner initiates Burson into the "X" club [removed from volume 2], circa 1947. (3 (8x10) b/w)
310Lamar Gibson, Burson, and Roger Simmons are elected president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer accordingly [removed from volume 2], circa 1947. (1 negative)
311Burson's graduation from UGA [?], 1948. (1 (8x10) b/w)
312Burson graduating from UGA, 1948. (2 (4.5 x 6.5) b/w)
313Portrait of Burson working on a Talmadge article, circa 1950. (1 (8x10) b/w)
314Burson typing in a jeep and Burson with unidentified male while serving as a war correspondent during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (3 (2x2.25) b/w)
315Burson interviewing Colonel William W. (Buffalo Bill) Quinn, commander of the 17th Infantry Regiment [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
316Burson, Millholland, and Combat Correspondent Corporal Bruce Winters at the 17th Regiment Headquarters [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
317Burson at the 17th regiment headquarters deep inside Central Korean Mountain Wilderness [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
318Burson, Millholland, Haslam, and Corporal Roy Price in jeep they drove 12 miles into a mountain wilderness which never before had seen a motor vehicle [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
319Lt. Colonel Denzil L. Baker, Colonel Arthur Milholland of Stars and Stripes and U.P. correspondent Bill Burson watch F-84 Thunder jets drop fire bombs on North Korean defenders of Mount Taemi [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
320Lt. Colonel Barney White points out the accuracy of shots fired on red installations atop Mount Taemi by the 155 mm guns of his artillery battalion to U.P. correspondent Burson. Pfc Henry Edwards relays target locations to batteries via radio [removed fro, circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
321U.P. Burson posing for photo during Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
322Burson in front of a sign that states, "24th INF. DIV. Rear" during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (2 (5x7) b/w)
323Burson posing outside an army tent and Burson in a jeep [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (2 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
324Burson sitting on a rock holding his glasses during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (3.25x4.5) b/w)
325Tom Stone, A.P. (left) and Pete Ruplenas, Army combat correspondent, enjoy a joke at the expense of U.P.'s Burson. They are standing at the northern most point of advance of the U.S. 7th division on the East Central front [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (8x10) b/w)
326Photo of UP war correspondent jeep during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
327Burson and Gene Amole of the Denoen [?] Post clowning with a mop [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (3.5x3.5) b/w)
328Burson views the frozen bodies of two Korean mothers and their babies on the bloody road to Wonju. The women and children were strafed by an American plane which mistook them for enemy troops [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (3.5x4.5) b/w)
329Burson interviews Pfc Cecil Driver, a former history professor at Wake Forest College, who turned down a "soft" army job to become a frontline infantry man in the famed 17th (Buffalo Bill) Regiment [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (8x10) b/w)
330Burson interviewing unidentified men during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (4x5) b/w)
331Burson interviewing Bill Quinn and another photo of "Buffalo Bill" posing during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (2 (5x7.25) b/w)
332Burson examines Chinese medals captured by infantrymen of the famed 17th (Buffalo) Regiment [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (8x10) b/w)
333Burson at work in Taega - taking dictation from the front [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (4x5) b/w)
334Burson of United Press accompanies General Ridgway on a tour of the East Central Front [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (3.75x4.75) b/w)
335Burson posing during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (2.25x2.5) b/w)
336Burson hears Corporal William Prejean tell why he turned down returning home in order to stay with his buddies on the front and with the famed 17th (Buffalo) Regiment [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (8x10) b/w)
337Burson posing and playing with dogs during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (3 (3.25x4.5) b/w)
338Burson and four unidentified men fight with out with enemy forces in Sinjon-ni, Korea [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (3x4.5) b/w)
3397th Recon Co tank moving to new position near Sinjon-ni [removed from volume 6], 1951 May. (1 (3.5x4) b/w)
340Burson and Warren Cappel help a wounded man out of Paegun mountains during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x6.5) b/w)
341Lt. Colonel Denzil L. Baker briefs U.P. correspondent Burson from his foxhole observation post on the East Central front. Baker's battalion is about to assault mile-high Mount Taemi [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7.25) b/w)
342Burson typing on a typewriter while sitting on the UP correspondent jeep as the Eighth Army is retreating [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5.25x7) b/w)
343Burson interviewing Brig. General H.J.D. (iron jaw) Meyer, 24 division artillery commander, and his successor Colonel Robert F. Hallock [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5.25x7) b/w)
344Burson, Millholland, and Major Jim Haslam climb mile-high Mount Taemi behind advancing G.I.'s [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7.25) b/w)
345Burson speaks with Pvt. Warren Cappel, near a sign that reads "Front-Line Stop" [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (5x7) b/w)
346Burson with Cecil Brownlow, INS and Jim Healy, ACME [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (2 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
347Burson with Bang Young Lee, MGM and Jim Healy, ACME [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
348Burson interviews Lt. Volney Warner, while Lt. Johnny Ross directs an artillery barrage and Lt. Elmer Gainok looks on [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (4x5) b/w)
349Burson with three unidentified males during the Korean War [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (1 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
350Burson writing at a desk by lamp light [removed from volume 6], circa 1951-1952. (3 (2.25x2.25) b/w)
351Burson with Bill Quinn and one unidentified male during the Korean War. The picture is inscribed to Burson from Bill Quinn [removed from volume 6], 1951 June. (1 (5x7) b/w)
352Wedding portrait of Bill and Laverne Burson, 1951. (1 (8x10) b/w)
353Burson shaking hands with an unidentified man at the Rotary Club [removed from volume 7], circa 1952-1955. (1 (4x5) b/w)
354Fred Hand campaigns for governor [removed from volume 7], circa 1954. (1 (3x3) b/w)
355Fred Hand campaigns for governor [removed from volume 7], circa 1954. (2 (8x10) b/w)
356Burson along with Freeman Leverett, Eugene and Charles Cook, John L. Davidson, James Screws, and J Lindsay Almond and Robert Hall attend a naval orientation cruise [removed from volume 7], 1955 April 2. (1 (8x10) b/w)
357Burson posing with Freeman Leverett, Eugene and Charles Cook, and two unidentified males on the MSO-430 for a naval orientation cruise [removed from volume 7], 1955 April 2. (1 (8x10) b/w)
358Portrait of Bill Burson, 1960s. (1 (4x5) b/w)
359Burson gives the dedicatory address at the dedication of the United States Post Office [removed from volume 9], 1965 December 5. (1 (3.5x3.5) color)
360Burson at the dedication of the United States Post Office [removed from volume 9], 1965 December 5. (1 (3.5x3.5) color)
361Burson poses with the two unidentified males and Miss Zip Code outside [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (3.5x5) color)
362Miss Zip Code poses with a dolphin and unidentified male [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (8x10) b/w)
363Burson is sitting on bleachers with two unidentified men [removed from volume 9], 1966 March 24. (1 (8x10) color)
364Burson poses with two unidentified men at the National Association Post Office event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (3 (3.5x5), 1 (8x10) color)
365Burson poses with two unidentified men at the National Association Post Office event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (3 (3.5x5) color)
366Burson posing with unidentified male at the National Association Post Office event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (3.5x5) color)
367Burson with three unidentified men at the National Association Post Office event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (2 (3.5x5) color)
368Burson sitting at a table with unidentified people at the National Association Post Office Event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (3.5x5) color)
369Burson with unidentified male at the National Association Post Office Event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (2 (3.5x5) color)
370Burson posing at the National Association Post Office event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (3 (3.5x5) color)
371Burson posing as he sits in a chair [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (2 (4x5) b/w)
372Burson sitting at his desk at the Post Office [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (5x7) color)
373Burson with unidentified male at the Post Office Department event [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (3 (3.5x5), 1 (8x10) color)
374Burson reading a newspaper and sitting on a chair [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (3.5x3.5) color)
375Charles Welborn Outlaw [removed from volume 9], circa 1965-1966. (1 (4x5) b/w)
376Burson presenting plaques to unidentified men and women at the Post Office award ceremony [removed from volume 10], circa 1966. (4 (5x6.5) b/w)
377Burson gives the address of dedication at the opening ceremonies of the United States self service postal unit [removed from volume 10], circa 1966-1967. (3 (4x5) b/w)
378Burson with two unidentified men [removed from volume 10], circa 1966-1967. (1 (8x10) color)
379Burson delivers dedication address at the Four Points Post Office branch in West Palm Beach, Florida [removed from volume 10], circa 1966-1967. (3 (3.5x5) color)
380Burson poses with 6 unidentified males and 4 females at the Installation of Officers at Mansene's Restaurant [removed from volume 9], 1966 February 26. (1 (6.5x9) b/w)
381Burson poses with 5 unidentified males at the Installation of Officers at Mansene's Restaurant [removed from volume 9], 1966 February 26. (1 (6x9.5) b/w)
382Burson speaks at the Installation of Officers at Mansene's Restaurant [removed from volume 9], 1966 February 26. (1 (6x9.5) b/w)
383Burson poses with William Lovejoy, Hillyer King, Lloyd Ricks, John Butler, and Peyton Yon, while holding the Treasury Department's minuteman flag [removed from volume 7], 1966 June 23. (1 (8x10) b/w)
384William Burson gives Post Office dedication address in St. Petersburg, Florida [removed from volume 10], 1966 September 24. (4 (2.5x3.5) color, 3 (3.5x3.5) color)
385Burson poses in front of a Post Office Department sign [removed from volume 10], circa 1967. (2 (3.5x5) b/w)
386Burson standing in front of a Post Office Department sign, "We are moving come along" [removed from volume 10], circa 1967. (2 (8x10) b/w)
387Burson pointing at a map of Georgia Food Programs at the Department of Family and Children Services [removed from volume 11], circa 1967-1968. (1 (3.5x5) b/w)
388Burson presented a citation of merit for the project to Charles Hendrix. The Ransom High School Band participated in the ceremony [removed from volume 10], 1967 May 13. (2 (3.5x5) color)
389Burson gives a speech at the annual meeting of the Georgia Committee on Children and Youth [removed from volume 11], 1968 March 27-28. (1 (8x10) b/w)
390Burson with Evelyn Simmons, Gloria Saxon, and Ben Story at a Waynesboro Exchange Club Meeting [removed from volume 13], 1968 November 13. (5 (4.5x5.5) b/w, 1 (3.5x4.25) b/w)
391Portrait of Bill Burson, 1970s. (1 (8x10) b/w)
392Bill Burson, 1970s. (1 (3x5) b/w)
393Burson campaigning for state treasurer with his family [removed from volume 19], 1970. (1 (5.5x7.25) b/w)
394Burson campaigning for state treasurer with his family in front of his station wagon [removed from volume 20], 1970. (1 (7x9) b/w)
395Burson for treasurer, family portrait, 1970. (1 (3.5x5) b/w, 2 (3.5x7) b/w)
396Burson and Lester Maddox with two unidentified males and two unidentified females with an inscription on the back that reads, "To Bill Burson, the best friend I and 'all the little people' ever had, BAR NONE." - Wallace Rhodes [removed from volume 17], 1970 January 10. (1 (8x10) b/w)
397Burson is joined by his mother and his wife for the final walk that brought him into Thomaston [removed from volume 22], 1972 May 20. (1 (5x5.5) b/w)
398Burson giving a speech at a podium [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.5x9) b/w)
399Burson looking at a document with an unidentified female [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.75x8.5) b/w)
3100Burson holding a document with an unidentified female [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.5x9.25) b/w)
3101Burson in an office with an unidentified man [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.5x9.5) b/w)
3102Burson reading a piece of paper with an unidentified male [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.75x9.5) b/w)
3103Burson giving a speech with a microphone [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (7x9) b/w)
3104Burson with two unidentified males [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (7x9) b/w)
3105Burson, George Busbee, and two unidentified males [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (4.5x6.5) b/w)
3106Burson with Governor David Boren and unidentified female [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (8x8.5) b/w)
3107Burson with unidentified male [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (6.5x9) b/w)
3108Burson poses with Dolph Briscoe, governor of Texas, and unidentified man [removed from volume 24], circa 1973-1983. (1 (5x7) b/w)
3109Burson at his son's, Forrest, graduation from Georgia State, 1973 December. (1 (3.5x4) color)
3110Burson with an unidentified female in an office [removed from volume 25], circa 1983-1991. (1 (6.5x9) b/w)
 

IV. Editorial Cartoons

7 item(s)
Seven original editorial cartoons by Clifford H. (Baldy) Baldowski, Bill Daniels, David Boyd, and Eric Devericks depict the difficulties Burson's faced at the state Department of Family and Children Services and his 1972 senatorial campaign. Three of the cartoons are inscribed by the artists and offer support to Burson.
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OS 14Cartoon, "Takes more than you got around here, kid!" Dipicts Lester Maddox, County Commissioners and the State Senate holding a file that says "senate effort to dump Bill Burson as Director of Family Services" and a child labeled "The Hungry." Cartoon by Clifford H. (Baldy) Baldowski [oversize item], circa 1967
OS 15Cartoon, Two men watching an elderly woman and a young child leaving a building with a sign "County Welfare food stamps here" and saying "If you feed people they won't work." Cartoon inscribed by Bill Daniels [oversize item], 1967
OS 18Cartoon, "Now, get that food out or else!" Dipicts Lester Maddox and the State Senate straightjacketing Burson next to a pot of soup that says "Burson welfare programs." Inscribed by cartoonist Bill Daniels [oversize], 1967
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128Cartoon, "Theres somethin' mighty suspicious about a politician who works as hard as he does…" Two men labeled as vested interests pointing at a door "Bill Burson Director Department of Family and Children Services." Cartoon by Eric Devericks for the Atlanta Journal, 1968
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OS 16Cartoon, "Bill Burson Rides Again!" Dipicts Burson shooting guns and riding a horse past the State Capitol. Inscribed by Clifford H. (Baldy) Baldowski [oversize item], circa 1970
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129Cartoon, "Oh please don't throw me in the briar patch!" Bill Burson looking into a briar patch called resignation, a sign says "All martyers this way to public office." Inscribed by the cartoonist David Boyd, 1970
130Cartoon, "Burson for Senate Campaign Headquarters" sign above a pair of shoes, referring to Burson's 1,000 mile walk of the state. By cartoonist Allen, 1972
 

V. Books

9 volume(s)
This series is primarily yearbooks from Burson's time at Robert E. Lee Grammar School, Robert E. Lee Institute (1942-1945), and the University of Georgia (1946-1948). Also included is a copy of Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1973-1974, which includes Bill Burson.
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131The Little Rebel, Robert E. Lee Grammar School, Thomaston, Georgia, 1941
132The Rebel, Robert E. Lee Institute, 1942
133The Rebel, Robert E. Lee Institute, 1943
134The Rebel, Robert E. Lee Institute, 1944
135The Rebel, Robert E. Lee Institute, 1945
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21Pandora, University of Georgia, 1948
22Pandora, University of Georgia, 1947
23Pandora, University of Georgia, 1946
24Who's Who in the South and Southwest. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1973
 

VI. Audiovisual

3 moving_image(s)
Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request. Research requests will be filled as soon as possible and will be dependent upon the condition of the recordings.
item
UC RBRL206WHB-CS_0001LaGrange - Bo Callaway Keep, LaGrange - Burson, 1967 September 9 ( 1 sound_recording(s) )
item
UC RBRL206WHB-CS_0002Side A: Swearing-in Burson, Side B: Columbus, undated ( 1 sound_recording(s) )
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UC RBRL206WHB-CS_0003Side A: Columbus Slash Pine, WCEN, Side B: Burson, First Baptist Brotherhood, 1969 August ( 1 sound_recording(s) )