James C. Free Papers
Dates
1978-2000
Creator
Free, James C.
Summary/Abstract
James Free received a bachelor's and a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University, then later worked as a regional coordinator and a special assistant to President Jimmy Carter. The collection includes three cubic feet of letters, newspaper articles, and other personal papers related to Free's political activities.
Quantity/Physical Description
Approximately 4.5 linear feet.
Language(s)
English
Repository
Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2632
Restrictions on Access
None
Copyright
It is presumed that corporate and individual copyrights in manuscripts, photographs, and other materials have been retained by the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions apply. Users of materials should seek necessary permissions from the copyright hold
Preferred Citation
(Box Number, Folder Number), Collection Name, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Acquisition
James C. Free 1998 and 2009.
Processed By
Original processor Matthew Brown; additional processing, Kayla Utendorf, graduate assistant, 2013.
Arrangement
With a few exceptions, the arrangement of this collection reflects the original order of the papers. Occasionally no original order could be detected, in which case they were arranged by subject.
Biographical Note
James C. Free attended Middle Tennessee State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics (1969) and a master’s degree in public administration (1972). After graduation Free worked for Middle Tennessee State University as an assistant to the university’s vice president.
Free has a rich history of activity in the Democratic Party. In 1976 Free worked on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign as southern regional coordinator. After Carter’s election to the presidency, Free served as Special Assistant to the President for Congressional Affairs and supported President Carter’s programs before Congress.
Free raised money for Ned McWherter’s campaign for Governor of Tennessee. He served as Governor McWherter’s administrative assistant and as both chief clerk and executive officer of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Free also worked for the presidential campaigns of Walter Mondale in 1984 and Senator Albert Gore, Jr. in 1988 and 2000.
In 1995 Free co-founded the Smith-Free Group with James E. Smith. Previously he was vice-chair of Walker-Free Associates. As a lobbyist, he has represented American businesses in such areas as energy, entertainment, communications, health care, banking, and insurance.
On May 8, 2010 Free gave a commencement address at Middle Tennessee State University.
Scope and Content
The James C. Free Papers document the political activities of James C. Free, his associates, and members of the Democratic Party. The bulk of the papers include correspondence between Free and various politicians. They include the names of donors, receipts from travel to conventions, and written testimony presented to the Hunt Commission. There is also material from the 1982 Mid-term Democratic Convention and the 1984 Democratic National Convention. Free’s papers also contain materials documenting Democratic Party political strategy and fundraising activities.
The materials were arranged by subject rather than type or function of material. This means, for example, that although there is a series for correspondence, subject related correspondence may be found in a series related to that subject. Researchers are advised to note possible alternative locations of the documents for which they seek.
Series 1. Correspondence. This series contains personal correspondence, letters of appreciation, and letters of congratulation.
Series 2. Democratic National Party. This series contains documents pertaining to the Democratic National Party, including documents from the Democratic National Convention, the Commission for Presidential Nominations, the Hunt Commission, and newspaper articles relating to the Democratic National Party.
Series 3. Elections. This series contains documents relating to the campaigns of Walter Mondale, Ned McWherter, and Al Gore, as well as fundraising information concerning the Democratic Congressional Committee and Senatorial Committee and newspaper articles about presidential candidates.
Series 4. James C. Free Articles. This series contains correspondence, maps, and articles written by James Free.
Series 5. Ephemera. This series contains photographs, campaign buttons, and ephemera.
Associated Materials
None
Related Collections
None
Subject Terms
Persons/Families
James C. Free, Ned McWherter, Charles E. Walker, Walter Mondale, Coleman Young, Bill Clinton, Tony Coelho, Charles Rangel, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore Jr.
Organizations/Corporate Names
Democratic Party (U.S.)
Places
Tennessee; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia
Subjects (General)
Democratic National Convention, Presidential campaigns, Tennessee gubernatorial campaigns
Occupations
Material Types
Correspondence, Memos, Documents, Receipts, Photographs, Newspaper/Magazine articles, Campaign buttons
Albert Gore Research Center
P. O. Box 193, 1301 E. Main St.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132
Main: 615-898-2632
University Archives: 615-898-5202
Director: 615-898-2633
Location
Todd Hall Suite 128
Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Or by appointment
Summer Hours
Monday - Thursday
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Friday
Closed