Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Brown Jr. (Willie L.) Papers
asc.2007.001
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, J. Paul Leonard Library
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
San Francisco State University
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722
Title: Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers
Creator:
Brown, Willie L., Jr. (Willie Lewis), 1934-
Accession number: asc.2007.001
Extent:
100 Linear Feet
(75 cartons, 5 oversize boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1955-1999
Abstract: The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers include Assembly Bill materials, correspondence, newspaper clippings, research files, awards,
books, editorial cartoons, photographs and other materials created during his years in the California State Assembly (1965-1995).
Physical Location: Collection available on site.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English.
The collection is open for research. Some materials may require the use of a computer to view digital files.
Some materials are in the public domain; transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed
by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be
restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks.
Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility
for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[Identification of item], Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers, Accession # 2007.001, San Francisco State University, J. Paul Leonard
Library, Special Collections and Archives.
Video footage is available online as a part of the J. Paul Leonard Library Bay Area Television Archive's
Willie L. Brown, Jr. Collection
The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers covering his mayoral years (1996-2004) are located at the San Francisco Public Library History
Center.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers of Willie L. Brown, Jr. (accession #2007.1) were gifted from Willie L. Brown, Jr. to San Francisco State University
President Robert A. Corrigan on November 8, 2007 and transferred to San Francisco State University J. Paul Leonard Library
Special Collections & Archives.
Processed by Eva Martinez from June-December 2018.
The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers are arranged into nine series: Series 1: Assembly Bill Materials, 1965-1976, Series 2: Subject
Files, 1965-1995, Series 3: Political Appointments, 1981-1997, Series 4: Correspondence, 1965-1994, Series 5: Awards and Recognitions,
1972-1995, Series 6: Ephemera, 1962-1994, Series 7: Books, 1985-1999, Series 8: Art, 1970-1995, and Series 9: Photographs
and Sound Recordings, 1966-1997. The Photograph and Sound Recordings series is further arranged into three subseries. Subseries
9.1: Events, 9.2: Individuals and 9.3: Sound Recordings.
Biography of Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. was born in 1934 in Mineola, Texas. Raised by his grandmother, Brown graduated high school in 1951,
moving to San Francisco where he attended San Francisco State University, receiving a liberal studies B.A. in 1955. He studied
law at University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, and became a lawyer in 1959. Brown established
his own law practice shortly thereafter. In 1964, Brown was elected to the California State Assembly, beginning his thirty-year
career in the Assembly (1965-1995). In 1980, Brown became Speaker of the Assembly, a post he held until 1995. Brown was
elected Mayor of San Francisco in 1995, a position he held until 2003.
The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Papers include Assembly Bill materials, correspondence, newspaper clippings, research files, awards,
books, editorial cartoons, and photographs created during his years in the California State Assembly (1965-1995).
Series 1: Assembly Bill Materials, 1965-1996, includes documents pertaining to legislative bills Brown introduced or co-sponsored
in the California State Assembly. Also includes materials relating to House Resolutions, Assembly Constitutional Amendments,
Assembly Concurrent Resolutions, and Assembly Joint Resolutions. Assembly Bill files minimally contain government published
copies of the Assembly Bills, along with amended versions, and the Legislative Council Digest related to the bill. Files
may also contain committee analyses of the bills, correspondence from government officials, constituent individuals and organizations,
and newspaper or magazine articles, newsletters and brochures. Brown's legislative files reflect his early efforts to support
health benefits for people with AIDS, support for dentists trained in foreign schools, and civil rights issues.
Series 2: Subject Files, 1965-1995, consists of documents on a variety of topics collected by Brown's legislative staff for
research purposes.
Series 3: Political Appointments, 1981-1997, spans the years that Brown served as Speaker of the Assembly. Includes documentation
of Brown's political appointments to California commissions, boards, and committees. Files include a description of each body,
including its responsibilities, duties and membership; correspondence relating to potential appointees; and oath statements
from appointed members.
Series 4: Correspondence, 1965-1994, includes endorsement letters from Brown in support of individuals and organizations;
and letters to Brown seeking his support. There is also other correspondence throughout the collection in other series.
Series 5: Awards and Recognitions, 1972-1995, consists of paper certificates presented to Brown by various organizations for
his achievements as a legislator. Related files include digital files of plaques presented to Brown. Special Collections
and Archives has digital images of processed plaques and ephemera.
Series 6: Ephemera, 1962-1994, consists of newspaper clippings and memorabilia, such as printed programs from events.
Series 7: Books, 1985-1999, consists of books produced by or for Brown during his tenure as Speaker of the Assembly. Also
includes a bound transcript of an oral history interview with Brown recorded in 1991-1992.
Series 8: Art, 1970-1995, contains framed and unframed artistic portrayals of Brown. Mostly editorial cartoons depicting his
stance on various political issues and events.
Series 9: Photographs and Sound Recordings, 1966-1997, contains photographs, negatives, and slides that provide visual documentation
of Brown's legislative career. The files include his early years, his family, assembly floor action, events hosted or attended
by Brown including—his major fundraisers—and individuals he interacted with, including political figures, foreign dignitaries,
athletes, celebrities, and friends. Also contains sound recordings of Brown and news programs. Formats include audio cassettes
(bulk), open reel ¼-inch tape, and micro-cassettes.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African American legislators -- California -- Archives.
Legislators -- California -- Archives.
California -- Politics and government -- 1951-
California. Legislature. Assembly. Speaker's Office.