Margaret Martin Brock Papers, 1960-1997

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Summary

Abstract:
Margaret Martin Brock was a philanthropist who had a long-standing relationship with Pepperdine University, particularly the School of Law. She was also highly involved in fundraising for the Republican Party throughout most of her life. This collection includes correspondence, subject files, photographs, and newspaper clippings about Margaret Brock, her involvement in politics, and her philanthropy.
Extent:
40.75 Linear Feet (76 Hollinger boxes, one carton, three 22" x 15" x 2" flat boxes, one 12" x 15" x 3" flat box, one 12" x 15" x 2" flat box.)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Margaret Martin Brock Papers, Collection no. 154, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Background

Scope and content:

The Margaret Martin Brock Papers documents the life of Margaret Brock and her involvement in politics, philanthropy, and education. The collection contains publicity, writings, and newspaper clippings about Margaret Brock. It includes Brock's correspondence from 1948-1996, including copies of outgoing letters. It also includes a large amount of materials that focus on Brock's political involvement and her friendship and support of California and national political figures. She was good friends with Ronald Reagan and was a prime fundraiser for several of his campaigns. The collection also includes photographs and photo albums of Brock and various events that she attended. There are also several albums of newspaper clippings. Finally, the collection includes a large amount of Brock's subject files, while she kept on various people, events, and organizations.

Biographical / historical:

Born to an affluent family in California, Margaret Martin devoted her life to fundraising and philanthropy. Her mother was a descendent of the famous Crocker family of California and her father, James Rufus Martin was a respected stock and bond broker. In 1931 she wed George C. Brock, son of the founder of Brock and Company Jewelers.

Dubbed "Mrs. California Republican" by President Ronald Reagan, Brock was highly involved in the Republican Party from 1948 onward. She attributes this involvement partially to her father, who helped raise funds for the presidential election of Herbert Hoover. Margaret Brock was a delegate or alternate to 10 national Republican conventions and a co-founder of the Republican Eagles. At the time of her death she was the only woman to ever receive an Eagle of the Year award.

Brock co-chaired California campaigns for the White Houses of Bush and Reagan, as well as Pete Wilson's U.S. senator and California gubernatorial races. Additionally, she served as the finance chairwoman for Rep. David Dreier for 20 years.

Margaret Brock felt strongly about assisting young people in their educational pursuits, and much of her philanthropy was directed at colleges and college students. She made substantial donations to her alma mater, Mount Vernon College, Pepperdine, and additionally created the Margaret Martin Brock Internship in Practical Politics at Claremont McKenna College.

Brock's relationship with Pepperdine began when she attended the "Birth of a College Dinner" in 1970, where the college's Malibu campus was announced. She provided the funds for the construction of the president's house on campus, securing it's name as "Brock House". Brock House was dedicated in 1975 by President Gerald Ford. Brock sat on the Board of Regents for the university for several years, was a member of the University Board and a lifetime member of the Pepperdine Associates. She also co-chaired the university's first official fund-raising campaign, "The Wave of Excellence Campaign". Brock was highly involved with the Pepperdine School of Law, creating the Brock Scholars program, which continues to this day. Pepperdine honored her with an honorary degree in 1972.

In addition to her other involvements and accolades, Margaret Brock was a Founders Patron of the Los Angeles Music Center, the co-founder of the Junior League of Los Angeles, and an active member of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

Margaret Brock passed away in 1997 at the age of 93.

Acquisition information:

This collection was transferred to Pepperdine Libraries Special Collections and Archives in 2016 from the Pepperdine School of Law, where it had been stored (presumably) since Margaret Brock's death in 1997.

A second accession of materials was found in the Margaret Brock Conference Room in 2017 and subsequently transferred to Special Collections.

Processing information:

This collection was arranged and described by Kelsey Knox, December 2018.

Arrangement:

The Margaret Martin Brock Papers are arranged into seven series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Pepperdine University; 3. Political Figures; 4. Biographical Materials; 5. Subject Files; 6. Photographs; 7. Newspaper Clippings.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Margaret Martin Brock Papers, Collection no. 154, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

Location of this collection:
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4786, US
Contact:
(310) 506-4323
specialcollections@pepperdine.edu
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