Ben Blackburn Congressional Papers, 1930-1974
51 boxes, 25.5 linear feet

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

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Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Access Points

Folder List

Ben Blackburn

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions: None.

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: Photographs separated for preservation.

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.

Preferred Citation: Ben Blackburn Congressional Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE:

Benjamin Bentley Blackburn was born in Atlanta, Georgia on February 14, 1927. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1947 and from Emory University School of Law in 1954. During World War II, Blackburn served in the United States Navy, 1944-1946, and again during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1952. He retired as a lieutenant commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

After returning to Georgia, Blackburn served in the state attorney general's office from 1955 to 1956. From 1956 until 1966, Blackburn had a private law practice. He was elected as a Republican to the 90th and to the three succeeding US Congresses (1967 to 1975) from Georgia's Fourth District. While in Congress, Blackburn served on several committees, including Banking & Currency, the Housing Subcommittee, the Joint Economic Committee, the Subcommittee on International Trade of the Bank & Currency Committee, and the Housing & Domestic Finance Committee. In 1974, he was defeated in the general election.

Blackburn served as president of the Southeastern Legal Foundation from 1976 until 1985. In 1980. Blackburn served as Team Captain of the Reagan Presidential Transition Team. He later served as regional representative for the United States Department of Transportation from 1985 to 1989.

Blackburn has been a member of the American, Georgia, and Decatur-DeKalb Bar Associations, the Atlanta and Federal Bar Associations, and the Heritage Foundation. He served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Heritage Foundation from 1974 until 1982.

In 1952, Blackburn married Mary A. Pandora and they have four children, Michael, Robert, Kathryn and David. Blackburn currently resides in Jasper, Georgia.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The Ben Blackburn Papers consist of files from Blackburn's career as United States Congressman. The years represented are 1969 to 1974, and activities documented are congressional.

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ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT:

The papers are divided into five series: Subject Files, Constituent Correspondence, Green Forms, General Correspondence, Committee Files, and Photographs. The types of materials in this collection include correspondence, newspaper clippings, speeches, printed materials, reports, photographs, and maps.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

Williamson S. Stuckey Papers, 1966-1977
Howard H. Callaway Collection, 1965-1976
John Davis Papers, 1958-1974
John Pilcher Papers, 1941-1976
Herman E. Talmadge Collection, 1945-1987
Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, 1840-1974

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. Subject Files, 1969-1974
13 boxes, 6.5 linear feet
The Subject Files consist of clippings, correspondence, speeches, reports, printed material, and agency printed material retained by the office for general reference. This series is further divided into two subseries: 1969-1970 and 1970-1974. Topics include the Alcovy River Project, Rock Creek Park, Campaigns, the Department of Housing, Education and Welfare, and Vietnam. Arrangement is alphabetical.

II. Constituent Correspondence, 1974
15 boxes, 7.5 linear feet
The Constituent Correspondence series includes correspondence, incoming and outgoing reply, newspaper clippings, reports, and printed materials. This material contains information on constituents' views and questions about current events or public issues. Some of the issues of 1974 include the Watergate investigation, the possible impeachment of President Richard M. Nixon, health issues, various tax proposals, daylight savings time, and foreign policy. It is evident over 1974 that Mr. Blackburn's view on the Watergate issue changes from supporting President Nixon to requesting the resignation of the president. He believed that President Ford acted prematurely in pardoning the former president. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of individual or organization.

III. Green Forms, 1971
3 boxes, 1.5 linear feet
The Green Forms series is copies of replies from Blackburn. There are replies concerning the Vietnam conflict, prisoners of war, cost of living, the United Nations, wage and labor, and the environment. Arrangement is alphabetical by name of individual or organization.

IV. General Correspondence, 1972-1974
8 boxes, 4 linear feet
The General Correspondence series has correspondence, newspaper clippings, speeches, telegrams, and printed materials. Researchers may locate information concerning energy, economics, environmental issues, Watergate, POWs, and the possible impeachment of President Richard Nixon. Arrangement is alphabetical.

V. Committee Files, 1971-1974
12 boxes, 6 linear feet
The Committee Files contain correspondence, reports, speeches, materials, press releases, newspaper clippings, memos from committee staff, and information sheets. pertaining to Blackburn's work on committees and subcommittees. Researchers may locate information on such committee work as the Burke-Hartke foreign trade bill, economic stabilization, tax exemptions, and channelization and its effects on the environment and education. Arrangement is alphabetical by committee.

VI. Photographs

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FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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ACCESS POINTS

Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1994.
United States. Congress. Joint Economic Committee.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Banking and Currency.
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Housing and Domestic Finance.
United Nations.
Banking law --United States.
Environmental policy --United States.
Legislators --United States.
Medical care --Law and legislation --United States.

Money --Law and legislation --United States.
Taxation --Law and legislation --United States.
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 --Prisoners and prisons.
Watergate Affair, 1972-1974.
United States --Foreign relations.
United States --Politics and government --1969-1974.
Congressional records.

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