Margaret V. Clute Collection of Carl Vinson Papers

Descriptive Summary
Title: Margaret V. Clute Collection of Carl Vinson Papers
Creator: Clute, Margaret Vinson
Inclusive Dates: 1949-1984
Language(s): English
Extent: 2 box(es) (2.25 linear feet), 26 photographs, 6 slides
Collection Number: RBRL293MVC
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The collection is comprised of materials collected by Margaret Vinson Clute, great-niece of Carl Vinson. The materials in this collection span the years 1949 to 1984 and primarily include letters, photographs, and clippings. Letters written by Carl Vinson to his family, include his brother, Colonel Wilbur Vinson, and his great-niece, Margaret Vinson Clute. This collection also includes some photographs of Carl Vinson at various events and clippings which primarily document events such as the launching of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson, retirement from Congress, 90th birthday celebration, President Richard Nixon's visit to Warner Robins and Mercer University, and other events honoring Vinson.

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Collection Description

Biographical Note

Carl Vinson was born on November 18, 1883 in Baldwin County, Georgia. He attended Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, and he graduated from Mercer University Law School in 1902. He was admitted to the State Bar the same year and returned to Milledgeville to practice law. In 1904, and again in 1906, Vinson was appointed County Court Solicitor of Baldwin County. In 1909, at the age of twenty-five, he ran for and won a two-year term in the Georgia General Assembly. He was reelected in 1911 and served as Speaker Pro Tempore during his second term.

Vinson was appointed judge of Baldwin County Court in 1912 and served until November 1914 when he resigned because he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Vinson was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives for 27 consecutive terms. Vinson's interest in national defense and sea power earned him a seat on the House Naval Affairs Committee. In 1931, he became committee chairman, serving in that capacity until 1947, when the Naval Affairs Committee and the Military Affairs Committee combined to become the House Armed Services Committee. He served as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee for the remainder of his legislative career, except for four years of Republican control of Congress. In 1964 President Johnson awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Special Distinction, the highest award that a president can bestow upon a civilian.

Vinson retired in 1965 at the conclusion of the 88th Congress. He then returned to his farm in Baldwin County, and lived the last years of his life in Milledgeville, Georgia. On June 1, 1981, Carl Vinson died at age 97.

Scope and Content

This collection is comprised of primarily clippings, letters, and photographs about Carl Vinson. The collection includes letters written to Vinson's brother and wife, Colonel Wilbur Vinson and Kate Vinson, and invitations to events honoring Carl Vinson such as the launching of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson. Other papers in this collection include a copy of Vinson's last will and testament sent to his nephew, Senator Sam Nunn.

Organization and Arrangement

This collection is organized loosely by format and then chronologically.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Margaret V. Clute Collection of Carl Vinson Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

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: 2012.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Carl Vinson Letter

James F. Cook Research Files

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Carl Vinson File, Jack Tarver Library, Mercer University

James F. Cook Papers, Special Collections, University of West Georgia

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

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1

1

[Letters from Carl Vinson], 1963-1981

 

1

2

[Letters to Colonel Wilbur and Kate Vinson], 1962-1973

 

1

3

[Letters from Sam Nunn, Copy of Carl Vinson's Will, U.S.S. Carl Vinson Speech by Sam Nunn], 1973-1981

 

1

4

[Carl Vinson's 90th Birthday and Nixon Visit at Warner Robins and Mercer], 1973 November 19

 

1

5

[Speeches by Carl Vinson], 1961-1966

 

1

6

[Tributes to Carl Vinson], 1966, 1970

 

1

7

[Invitations to Events Honoring Carl Vinson], 1965-1980

 

1

8

[Invitations to Events Honoring Carl Vinson], 1966-1980

 

1

9

Ceremonies to Honor Carl Vinson, Sinclair Dam Dedication Exercises, 1964, 1954

 

1

10

Launching SSN 712 [Address by Sam Nunn], 1980 August 16

 

1

11

[Printed Material on U.S.S. Carl Vinson], 1980, 1982

 

1

12

Clippings Re. Launching of the Carl Vinson, 1980 March 15

 

1

13

[Launching of U.S.S. Carl Vinson], 1982 March 12

 

1

14

[Clippings – Launching of U.S.S. Carl Vinson], 1980

 

1

15

[Magazines and Clippings], 1949, 1964

 

1

16

[Clippings – U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek], 1950, 1964

 

1

17

[Medal of Freedom Article], 1964 June 11

 

1

18

Journal of the Armed Forces [Articles on Carl Vinson], 1964, 1966

 

1

19

Georgia College Bulletin, Winter, 1975, No. 2, 1975

 

1

20

[General Assembly and Georgia State Senate Resolutions Paying Tribute to Carl Vinson], 1980, 1982

 

1

21

Tomcat News: Gruman Aerospace Corporation [Article on U.S.S. Carl Vinson], 1983

 

1

22

[Clipping from Gainesville Paper], 1980 March 25

 

1

23

Clippings of Carl Vinson's Death and Funeral, 1981 June

 

1

24

[Clippings – Carl Vinson's Death], 1981

 

1

25

[Clippings], 1960s-1980s

 

1

26

[Clippings], 1960s-1980s

 

1

27

[Clippings], 1960s-1980s

 

1

28

[Clippings], 1960s-1980s

 

1

29

Portrait of Carl Vinson, 1960s (1 (4.5x7) color)

 

1

30

Slides of Carl Vinson's Birthday (6), 1966 November 18

 

1

31

Group Photographs of Carl Vinson, Mendel Rivers, and Robert Stephens, circa 1970s (2 (3x3) color)

 

1

32

Photos of Clyde and Carl Vinson in Milledgeville Office, 1973 (2 (5x7) b/w)

 

1

33

Group Photograph of Carl Vinson with Unidentified Men, circa 1970s (1 (6x8) b/w)

 

1

34

[Photographs and Clippings of Carl Vinson], 1970s (1 (3x4) b/w)

 

1

35

Carl Vinson and Molly Snead Outside Vinson Home, 1977 April (1 (4x6) color)

 

1

36

Carl Vinson and Wilbur Vinson, 1970s (1 (4x6) color)

 

1

37

Photographs of Carl Vinson Sitting Down, circa 1980 (1 (3x3), 1 (3x4), 1 (3x5) color)

 

1

38

Photos from Launch of U.S.S. Carl Vinson with Carl Vinson, Sam Nunn, John Warner, Elizabeth Taylor, Colleen Nunn, Senator Byrd, 1980 March 15 (7 (8x10) color)

 

1

39

Photos of Carl Vinson with Unidentified People, undated (6 (8x10) b/w)

 

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OS 1

1

[Letters from Carl Vinson to Wilbur Vinson; Group Photograph of Carl Vinson, Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson, 1969 (1 (8x11.5) b/w)

 

OS 1

2

Photographic Copy of Carl Vinson Portrait, undated

 

OS 1

3

[Scrapbook], 1973

 

OS 1

4

[Articles on Carl Vinson], 1961-1964