The Robert N. Butler Papers

The Robert N. Butler Papers consist of the letters, articles, typescript drafts and political fliers collected by Dr. Butler during the Summer and Fall of 1968, during his tenure as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Box 1 of the collection contains the responses received from Dr. Butler's 9 August 1968 letter soliciting support for Eugene McCarthy's nomination (see the appendix for a copy of this letter). These folders include letters from many significant political figures, including Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Governor John Connally of Texas, and Senator Joseph D. Tydings of Maryland. Two folders in Box 1 contain additional items collected before the Chicago Convention.

Box 2 of the collection contains materials amassed by Butler at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. This box holds interesting ephemera from the Convention, as well as position papers from various delegations and interest groups, and Butler's collected notes and committee papers from the District of Columbia Delegation. The major part of the box (three folders) consists of items related to the Task Force on Aging set up by Senator McCarthy.

With its collected papers and letters in support of Eugene McCarthy, and the drafts and papers from the McCarthy Task Force on Aging, the Robert N. Butler Papers add significantly to Georgetown's holdings on Eugene McCarthy's Presidential Campaign of 1968.

Date Span: June 1968 to March 1969
Extent of the Collection: 16 Folders in 2 boxes .75 linear feet
Provenance: Gift of Dr. Robert N. Butler

Processed: by James Helminski, 31 October 1985

FOLDER LISTING

BOX 1

Box 1 Folder 1
Humphrey to Butler, TLS, Single sheet with envelope
"I am sending to you, under separate cover..."
Date: 1968, August 6
Contents: From Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey to Dr. Robert N. Butler, informing Butler that he will receive some biographical information on Humphrey under separate cover.


Box 1 Folder 2
Answers to Letter Supporting Senator McCarthy, A to D
ALSs, TLSs, Mimeographs, Photocopies
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Letters from designated delegates to the Democratic National Convention of 1968, responding to a letter from Robert N. Butler, in which he expresses his support for Sen. Eugene McCarthy.
Includes: 1968, August 23 TLS from Theodore Bikel 1968, August 21 TLS from John Connally, Governor of Texas
1968, August 21 TLS from Thomas J. Dodd, Senator from Connecticut


Box 1 Folder 3
Answers to Letter Supporting Senator McCarthy, E to K
ALSs, TLSs, Mimeographs, Photocopies
Date span: 1968, August and September
Contents: Letters from designated delegates to the Democratic National Convention of 1968, responding to a letter from Robert N. Butler, in which he expresses his support for Sen. Eugene McCarthy.
Includes: 1968, September 18 TLS from Senator Edward M. Kennedy


Box 1 Folder 4
Answers to Letters Supporting Senator McCarthy, L to R
ALSs, TLSs, Mimeographs, Photocopies
Date span: 1968, August to 1969, March
Contents: Letters from designated delegates to the Democratic National Convention of 1968, responding to a letter from Robert N. Butler, in which he expresses his support for Sen. Eugene McCarthy.
Includes: 1968, August 21 TLS from Warren G. Magnuson,Senator from Washington


Box 1 Folder 5
Answers to Letter Supporting Senator McCarthy, S to Z
ALSs, TLSs, Mimeographs, Photocopies and Telegram
Date span: 1968, August to October
Contents: Letters from designated delegates to the Democratic National Convention of 1968, responding to a letter from Robert N. Butler, in which he expresses his support for Sen. Eugene McCarthy.
Includes: 1968, August 19 TLS from Paul Simon, Illinois State Senator
1968, August 19 TLS from U.S. Senator George Smathers
1968, September 3 TLS from William Spong, Senator from Virginia
1968, October 10 TLS from Joseph D. Tydings, Senator from Maryland
1968, August 23 TLS from Joseph D. Tydings

Box 1 Folder 6
Anastaplo, Professor George
"Vietnam and the First Amendment," "It's Your Country"
Date span: 1968, August and September
Contents: Contains mimeographs of two speeches on the Vietnam War by George Anastaplo, and carbons of a letter from Robert Butler to Mr. Anastaplo, regretting the Convention's decisions on the Vietnam War.


Box 1 Folder 7
Miscellaneous Pre-Convention Letters and Articles, etc.
TLSs, Photocopies, Mimeographs, CS, Telegram
Date span: 1968, May to August
Contents: Contains letters and literature sent to Butler before the 1968 Democratic National Convention, including photocopies of articles, solicitations for support, and information on candidates.

Includes a 1968, July 24 TLS from Claiborne Pell, Senator from Rhode Island.



BOX 2

Box 2 Folder 1
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
General Information, Programs, Maps and Articles
Date span: 1968, August to September
Contents: Includes color programs and ephemera from the Convention and promotional materials, plus maps and diagrams of the Convention. The "Democratic Manual" and the Platform are also included.


Box 2 Folder 2
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
News Releases, Position Papers, Flyers and Notes
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Contains printed, photocopied and mimeographed news releases, position papers, letters, schedules, room assignments, news articles, and manuscript notes regarding the Convention in general.


Box 2 Folder 3
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
District of Columbia Delegation
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Contains mimeographs, photocopies, typescripts and manuscripts of news releases, letters, articles and lists related to the activities of the District of Columbia Delegation.


Box 2 Folder 4
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
McCarthy for President
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Contains mimeographed news releases from the McCarthy Campaign, as well as letters regarding activities of McCarthy supporters at the Convention.

Box 2 Folder 5
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
Miscellaneous Fliers
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Contains examples of promotional literature distributed at the Convention.

Box 2 Folder 6
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
Task Force on Aging of Sen. Eugene McCarthy, I
Date span: 1968, July and August
Contents: Contains letters, drafts, position papers, lists of members, surveys and manuscript notes from the Task Force.

Box 2 Folder 7
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
Task Force on Aging of Sen. Eugene McCarthy, II
Date span: 1968, July and August
Contents: Contains news releases, drafts of the position paper and letters related to Task Force activities.

Box 2 Folder 8
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
Task Force on Aging of Sen. Eugene McCarthy, III
Date span: 1968, July and August
Contents: Contains drafts of the Task Force position paper and statements from Sen. Eugene McCarthy.


Box 2 Folder 9
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, 1968
Memorabilia
Date span: 1968, August
Contents: Contains invitations, name badges, ephemera and staff and delegate entrance passes for the Convention floor.

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