Description
This series documents Desmond J. "Des" Barker, Jr.'s activities, as a deputy of White House Counsel Charles Colson, in his
role as a Special Assistant to the President.
Background
Desmond James Barker, Jr., was born on October 8, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in
1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In 1954, he became a radio program director at KCPX in Salt Lake City.
He then joined the W.S. Adamson and Associates advertising and public relations firm in 1957 and married Marilyn Conover the
following year. In 1961, Barker founded his own advertising and public relations firm called the Des Barker Agency. The firm
gained a partner and Barker became President of the Barker and Jorgensen agency in 1970.
On July 23, 1971, Barker began his job as a deputy to White House Counsel Charles Colson. His role was primarily that of domestic
communications liason with the job title of Special Assistant to the President. He resigned from his job on the White House
staff in January 1973 and returned to his agency in Salt Lake City.
In 1976, Barker sought nomination as the Republican candidate for the United States Senate but lost to Orrin Hatch who was
elected to the Senate. Barker served as the 1981 Chair of the Salt Lake Chamber, which is Utah’s oldest business association.
Extent
1 linear foot, 9 linear inches; 4 boxes
Restrictions
Most government records are in the public domain, however, this series includes commercial materials, such as newspaper clippings,
that may be subject to copyright restrictions. Researchers should contact the copyright holder for information.
Availability
Collection is open for research. Some materials may be unavailable based upon categories of materials exempt from public release
established in the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974.