Title: Richard Nixon Scrapbooks, 1959-2007

ID: OGLMC1647

Primary Creator: Muir, Carol Irene

Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The collection contains four scrapbooks. Scrapbook 1 contains mostly newspaper articles and photographs that cover Nixon's early political career as Vice President to articles about his post-Presidency life. Scrapbook 2 contains a mix of newspaper and magazine articles, focusing more on the family's private life. Scrapbook 2 contains Ms. Muir's personal correspondence and journal entries. Scrapbook 3 contains mostly in-depth articles about Nixon's presidency and his resignation. The last scrapbook 4 consists mainly of complete special magazine editions published on the occasion of Nixon's death.

Date Acquired: 06/03/2016

Subjects: Politics and Government - Republican Party

Languages: English

The Richard Nixon Scrapbooks consist of four individual scrapbooks that contain primarily material from US-based newspapers and magazines covering Richard Nixon's political career as well as private life. Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994) served as the 37th President of the United States from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974, when he resigned from office due to the Watergate Scandal. Nixon served as Vice President from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight David Eisenhower. Prior to that, Nixon served as US Senator (CA) from 1950 to 1953, and as a US Representative from 1947 to 1950. Richard Nixon was married to Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon. The couple had two daughters, Patricia (Tricia) and Julie. The scrapbooks were created by Carol Irene Muir, UND graduate, class of 1974.

The collection offers a glimpse into the media coverage of Richard Nixon's political and private life. It covers Nixon's early political career as Vice President, follows the 1960 campaign against John F. Kennedy, his rise as the Republican candidate in the 1968 election and win of the Presidency, his reelection in 1972, the Watergate Scandal, and his eventual resignation from office in 1974. Included in the collection are newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, and special editions from various US political and general magazines covering major political events (campaigns, inaugurations, Watergate, resignation, and death). Also included are a variety of newspaper and magazine articles and photographs dealing with Richard Nixon "the private family man." These cover the weddings of both daughters during his presidency as well as Nixon's private life after his resignation and his return to a more public life.

Of particular interest is the personal connection to North Dakota. Ms. Carol Muir was a longtime supporter of Richard Nixon. She included personal items in the scrapbooks: letters written to Nixon during his time in office and after his resignation; letters received by Ms. Muir from Richard Nixon and Baruch Korff, thanking her for her support and contribution; two 1960 campaign pins. The scrapbooks also contain articles from the Grand Forks Herald on Mr. Nixon's visits to North Dakota throughout his presidency.

Politics and Government - Republican Party

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the Rules and Regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Carol Muir, Johnstown, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 2016-3310

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Richard Nixon Scrapbooks.  OGLMC 1647, Box #, Folder #.  Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Processed by Susanne Watts, Special Collections Graduate Intern, in September 2017.