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Bill Boner Papers

Dates

1979-1987

Creator

Boner, Bill

Summary/Abstract

William J. “Bill” Boner (born February 14, 1945) is a Tennessee educator and former Democratic politician. The Bill Boner Papers consist primarily of correspondence but also includes House resolutions, campaign organizational materials, booklets, briefings, brochures, newsletters, notes, and studies relating to Boner’s United States congressional career.

Quantity/Physical Description

14 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), Bill Boner Papers, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Acquisition

Processed By

Original processor undetermined.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in five series by subject. There are also a number of photographic images stored separately from the rest of the papers in the photograph collections.

Biographical Note

William J. “Bill” Boner is a Tennessee educator and former Democratic politician. He served as a member of both the Tennessee and the United States House of Representatives (1979-1987). Boner was also the third mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, serving from 1987 to 1991.

A native of Nashville, he received his higher education at Middle Tennessee State University (’67) and Peabody College (MA, ’69). Boner served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and both taught and coached at the Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene College. He also enrolled in the former YMCA Night Law School (now Nashville School of Law), graduating in 1978. Boner served in the State House in 1974 and then decided to run in the Democratic primary against Fifth District Congressman Clifford Allen in 1978. He was successful in the election and was subsequently reelected four times.

In 1987, Boner ran for Nashville mayor, beating opponent Phil Bredesen in a runoff election. He did not seek reelection in 1991, choosing rather to take a brief hiatus from politics. Boner later resumed his former seat in the State House.

The former Congressman and mayor returned to education, serving as the last principal of the former Tennessee Preparatory School and in various secondary education positions throughout the greater Nashville area.

Scope and Content

The Bill Boner Papers consist primarily of correspondence but also include House resolutions, campaign organizational materials, booklets, briefings, brochures, newsletters, notes, and studies relating to Boner’s United States congressional career. The papers are arranged in 5 series by subject.

Series 1: Domestic and Foreign Issues (4 boxes, 38 folders)
This series contains booklets, briefings, and notes relating to various domestic and foreign issues under consideration during the time of Boner’s office. Several files focus on the issue of homelessness in particular.

Series 2: General Correspondence and Materials (10 boxes, 103 folders)
The General Correspondence and Materials series includes the many letters Boner received in reference to his congressional activities and assignments. Several newsletters are in this series, as well as photographs and letters relating to Boner’s trip to El Salvador.

Series 3: Proposed and Passed Legislation (8 boxes, approx. 50 folders)
This series consists of House resolutions and sponsored legislation with which Representative Boner was involved.

Series 4: Campaign Organizational Materials (2 boxes, 6 folders)
These six folders contain funding information, honorariums, planning reports, and questionnaires relating to Boner’s political campaigns.

Series 5: Legislative Committee Work (18 boxes, 195 folders)
This series comprises the bulk to the Boner Collection, containing briefings, correspondence, memorandums, notes, and other various forms of paperwork in relation to Boner’s committee work and participation.