Special Collections

Department of Archives & Special Collections

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Robert F. Kennedy Speech Collection


MUM01738


Summary Information

Repository
University of Mississippi Libraries
Creator
– Collector
Urban, Pamela L.
Creator
West, Bill;
Creator
West, Brenda
Title
Robert F. Kennedy Speech Collection
ID
MUM01738
Date
18 March 1966
Extent
2.0 Items 1 cassette tape (Annex), 1 audio reel, transcript
General Physical Description note
1 cassette tape, 1 audio reel, transcript, and digital surrogate.
Abstract
The collection consists of a recording of Robert F. Kennedy’s 18 March 1966 address on the University of Mississippi campus.

Prefered Citation

Robert F. Kennedy Speech Collection, Archives and Special Collections, J.D. Williams Library, The University of Mississippi

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Historical Note

Robert F. Kennedy played a pivotal role in the history of the University of Mississippi. As U.S. Attorney General, he directed
the U.S. Marshals to accompany James H. Meredith on campus in 1962 as Meredith became the first African American to register
at the state’s flagship institution. After rioters attacked the Marshals, President John F. Kennedy ordered in federal troops
to restore order.

In 1966, U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy accepted an invitation from the Speaker’s Bureau of the University of Mississippi
Law School to address the students. Although protests preceded the event, Kennedy’s speech before a crowd of 6,000 proved
successful, generating much good will and enthusiasm.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of a recording of Robert F. Kennedy’s address at the University of Mississippi on 18 March 1966. Kennedy’s
introduction is by the Speaker’s Bureau chairman, Ed Ellington. Kennedy discusses Mississippi and the American South, civil
rights, education, labor, foreign relations, the youth movement, and volunteerism.

The recording of Robert F. Kennedy’s 1966 address on the University of Mississippi campus, as well as a transcript, is available
as an
online digital collection.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

University of Mississippi Libraries

Revision Description

 Ivey, Susan 2015

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to researchers. Audio files and transcripts are available as a digital collection
online.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions
of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a
photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used
for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy
or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use”, that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Additions

No further additions are expected to this collection.

Acquisition Information

Bill and Brenda West donated the original cassette recording of the Robert F. Kennedy speech to the University of Mississippi
in February 2010. Pamela L. Urban gave the original audio reel recording of the speech in May 2014. Gene Dattel provided the
transcript in February 2015.

Processing Information

University of Mississippi Media & Documentary Projects digitized the original cassette recording. Political Papers Archivist
Leigh McWhite reviewed the recording to compile content descriptions.=

The digitization and preservation of the recordings in this collection is the result of a project supported in part by a grant
from the
Institute of Museum and Library Services. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the
Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Since the content on audio reel donated in 2014 is the same as the cassette, the surrogate in the digital recording is still
based on the cassette.

Alternative Formats

The cassette has been digitized and made available
online

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Related Materials

Resources at the University of Mississippi

Further information about Robert F. Kennedy and his relationship with the University of Mississippi is available in the Archives
& Special Collections:

Russell H. Barrett Collection. Papers of a UM political science professor. Includes a typed letter from Barrett regarding Kennedy’s visit to campus.

William Doyle Collection. Box 8, Folder 1 contains information related to Robert F. Kennedy during the 1962 integration of the University of Mississippi.

James O. Eastland Collection. Eastland represented Mississippi in the U.S. Senate in 1941 and from 1943 to 1978. Includes correspondence and other material
on Kennedy.

Fortieth Anniversary Symposium and Observance of the Integration of University of Mississippi. Collection composed of exhibit material and recordings of a symposium and ceremony held by the Department of Justice in
Washington, DC on 15 July 2003 to commemorate the role of the U.S. Marshals Service. Several items related to Kennedy.

James H. Meredith Collection. Include Robert F. Kennedy correspondence.

George M. Street Collection. Papers of a university administrator. Box 19 includes two files on Kennedy’s 1966 speech on campus.

University of Mississippi Small Manuscripts/Speakers & Speeches. Box 1 contains a transcript of Kennedy’s 1966 speech.

Western Union Telegram Collection. Includes several telegrams regarding Robert F. Kennedy during the 1962 integration of the University of Mississippi.

J.D. Williams Collection. Records of the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi. Includes material on the 1962 integration crisis and the 1966
Kennedy speech on campus (Box 12).

Kennedy Commencement Address. University, MS: 2004, 1978. DVD transfer of a 1978 VHS tape of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s address to the graduating
class of the University of Mississippi on May 14, 1978. Call Number:
LD3417.2 1978b.

For other politically-related holdings at the Archives & Special Collections, see the
Politics & Government Subject Guide.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • University of Mississippi — History

Format(s)

  • audiocassettes
  • magnetic tapes
  • MP3
  • WAVE (format)

Personal Name(s)

  • Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968

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Collection Inventory

 1 Audio cassette 

 2 Audio reel-to-reel recording 

 3 Printed transcript 

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