Biographical/historical information

Maurice Gwinn Burnside (b. 1902), political science professor, West Virginia Democratic congressman, and tobacco warehouse executive, spent a lifetime studying international affairs. As a young man following graduate studies at the University of Texas, he worked and traveled in Europe and Asia for three years and was instrumental in organizing International Clubs at colleges and universities throughout the Southwestern United States. In 1940 he settled in Huntington, West Virginia, and taught political science at Marshall College until 1948, serving as department head from 1941-1945.

Following his tenure at Marshall College, he served three terms in Congress and worked briefly at the National Security Agency in Washington, D. C. He was a member of the committees on Public Works and the Post Office, Civil Service, and Expenditures in the Executive Department, and served on the United States-Philippine War Damage Commission (1949).

His post-congressional years were spent lobbying for various environmental groups, farmers, small businesses, and educational organizations. He also participated in the management of the Tri-State Tobacco Warehouse in Huntington.

Scope and arrangement

The bulk of the collection pertains to Dr. Burnside's congressional and political activities (1945-1956) and is composed largely of scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, andphotographs. Materials reflect the time and effort Dr. Burnside directed toward environmental issues, unemployment, the problems of small businesses and farmers, and the promotion of tariffs on foreign products that competed with local industries in his district such as textiles, chemicals, pottery, and marble.

The limited correspondence pertains directly to his failure to win re-election in 1956 and expressions of appreciation for his support of various bills in Congress. One letter of interest discusses the appointment of a new governor of the Virgin Islands (Feb. 17, 1961). Two letters from John F. Kennedy express appreciation for Dr. Burnside's support for Kennedy's presidential nomination (Aug. 12, 1960, undated), and one letter from Adlai E. Stevenson (Jan. 23, 1956) seeks Dr. Burnside's counsel and advice for his upcoming presidential campaign (Jan. 23, 1956). Two telegrams of significance pertain to the halting of H-Bomb tests (Oct. 19, 1956) and campaign financing by the Republican and Democratic parties (Nov. 4, 1956).

Most of the scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings and memorabilia concerning life and politics in Washington, D. C. One volume of photographs records his travels through Europe and Asia (1928-1931) while another contains material relating to congressional investigative junkets to Korea and Southeast Asia. Numerous loose photographs include portraits of political figures from the 1940s through the 1960s.

Testimonies to congressional committees, extensions of remarks to the Congressional Record, and reports of congressional investigative junkets compose most of the remainder of the collection. Notable among the reports is that by the U.S.-Philippines War Damage Commission, which provides before and after pictures of numerous buildings repaired and restored after World War II damage. Also of interest is a scrapbook of photos and newspaper clippings pertaining to a congressional investigation (1949) of aid to the Korean Army.

One folder pertains solely to Dr. Burnside's business interests in the Tri-State Tobacco Warehouse in Huntington, W.Va., which includes a lease, business and financial reports, correspondence, photographs, and clippings.

Administrative information

Custodial History

March 1, 1983, 300 items and 12 volumes; Papers (1939-1966) of congressman and tobacco executive, including correspondence, speeches, reports, clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, and miscellaneous. Donor: Maurice G. Burnside, Treasure Island, FL., and Mrs. Marilyn B. Weaver, Wilson, N. C.

May 19, 2003, (unprocessed addition 1), 186 items, 4.05 cubic feet; Papers (1793-2003) including correspondence, legal documents, financial records, printed forms, and manuscript materials related to the family and career of South Carolina born political scientist, businessman, government official, lobbyist, and congressman (Democrat -West Virginia), 1949-1953, 1955-1957, who later moved to Wilson, NC. See preliminary inventory attached. Donor: Marilyn B. Weaver.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Maurice G. Burnside

Gift of Mrs. Marilyn B. Weaver

Processing information

Processed by J. Smith, December 1983

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms

Personal Names

Burnside, Maurice Gwinn, 1902-1991
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963--Correspondence
Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965--Correspondence

Corporate Names

Tri-State Tobacco Warehouse
United States. Congress--Committees
United States. Congress--Elections, 1956
United States. Congress. House

Topical

Elections--West Virginia
Legislators--United States
Politicians--West Virginia
Tobacco industry--West Virginia--Huntington
World War, 1939-1945--Destruction and pillage--Philippines

Places

United States--Foreign relations--Korea (South)
Washington (D.C.)--Social life and customs--20th century
West Virginia--Politics and government--20th century

Container list