The collection consists of the senatorial papers of Senator Herman E. Talmadge from 1945-1987. The early Senate office files (1946-1958) include newspaper clippings, reports, printed materials, speeches and Talmadge's personal notes pertaining to communism, the Truman and Eisenhower administrations and Rule XXII (cloture). Press office files (1957-1980) consist of materials dealing with legislative issues, Federal grants, the Watergate investigation, and the 1979 Talmadge ethics controversy. Civil rights files (1957-1974) contain information on civil rights and the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. Watergate (1969-1974) deals with Talmadge's role in the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities investigations. Administration (1957-1980) contains constituent correspondence (1962-1970) dealing with desegregation and Vietnam; grant files (1966-1978); and speeches (1968-1971) discussing the issues of civil rights, defense, education, farming, foreign policy, social security, taxes, and Vietnam. Also includes personal files, guest books, appointment books, and visitor cards. The political files (1950-1980) contain information on Talmadge's senatorial campaigns of 1956, 1974, and 1980. The political patronage files (1957-1971) consist of correspondence, appointment announcements, recommendations, and name files related to patronage Talmadge exercised as a U.S. Senator. Positions include judgeships, attorneys, U.S. Marshals and postmasters. The legislation files (1957-1980) contain materials relating to pending legislation of the 85th-96th Congresses. The personal records (1950-1980) include correspondence and materials relating to the deaths of Talmadge's son Robert in 1975, Talmadge Hams and Betty Talmadge, and the Russell Foundation which Talmadge chaired from 1971-1974. from 1971-1974.
