Richard Neuberger papers , 1930-1960

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Neuberger, Richard L. (Richard Lewis), 1912-1960
Title
Richard Neuberger papers
Dates
1930-1960 (inclusive)
Quantity
80 linear feet, (63 containters)
Collection Number
Ax 078
Summary
Richard Lewis Neuberger (1912-1960), an Oregon native, was a U.S. Senator (D-OR) from 1954 to 1960. The Richard Neuberger collection consists of correspondence, legislation, published articles, and newspaper articles which pertain to the literary and political career of Richard Lewis Neuberger.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Richard Lewis Neuberger was born in Portland, Oregon on December 26, 1912 to Isaac and Ruth Neuberger. In 1928, he began writing articles for various newspapers and magazines. He attended the University of Oregon in Eugene as an undergraduate and during that time he published his first article in the New York Times. Neuberger attended classes at the University of Oregon Law School in the 1930's. In time Neuberger became a regular correspondent for the Pacific Northwest. By 1940, Neuberger's name was well known to the readers of The New Republic, Harper's Magazine, Collier's, The Christian Century, Forum, Current History, American Magazine, and Reader's Digest. In his lifetime, Richard Neuberger wrote a total of six books and over 300 articles for various newspapers and magazines. In 1940, he was elected as representative to the Oregon Legislative Assembly. He resigned in 1942 to fight in World War II, where he earned the rank of captain.

Richard Neuberger married Maurine Brown on December 20, 1945. In 1946 he was asked to run for governor of Oregon. He declined but instead ran for the state senate and was defeated. He continued writing articles until 1948 when he again ran for state senate, and was this time elected. In 1950, Maurine Neuberger was elected to the state House of Representatives. They were the only husband and wife pair in American history to hold political positions at the same time.

In 1954, Richard Neuberger ran for the United States Senate and became the first Democratic senator from Oregon since 1914. He held the position of U.S. Senator until his death in 1960, when his wife was chosen to complete his term.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Richard Neuberger collection comprises correspondence, legislation, published articles, photographs and newspaper articles which pertain to the literary and political career of Richard Lewis Neuberger. The Senatorial files include correspondence, legislation, and reports given to or written by Neuberger as well as sound recordings. Neuberger's Personal files cover specific issues. The Manuscripts series contains manuscripts, published materials, and literary correspondence, and is a record of most of Neuberger's literary articles. This series contains original published articles and unpublished drafts. The Biographical series is not very large. It contains articles written about his personal life and career. The Scrapbooks series includes newspaper clippings, pictures, and sound recordings that relate to Neuberger in some way. The Oversize Material series contains scrapbooks, films, sound recordings and speech index.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Conservation of natural resources--United States
  • Indians of North America--Government relations--1934-
  • Journalists--United States
  • Legislators--Oregon
  • Public health--United States

Personal Names

  • Morse, Wayne L. (Wayne Lyman), 1900-1974
  • Neuberger, Maurine B. (Maurine Brown), 1907-2000

Corporate Names

  • United States. Congress. Senate

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government--1951-
  • United States--Politics and government--1953-1961

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts for publication
  • Photographs