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Brock (Margaret Martin) Papers
0154
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Margaret Martin Brock Papers
Creator:
Brock, Margaret Martin
Identifier/Call Number: 0154
Physical Description:
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.)
Date (inclusive): 1960-1997
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.
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Copyright restrictions may apply
[Box/folder# or item name], Margaret Martin Brock Papers, Collection no. 154, Special
Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
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.
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.
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.
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.
This collection was arranged and described by Kelsey Knox, December 2018.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Articles
Campaigns
Charity
Clippings
Correspondence
Elections -- California -- Los Angeles
Education, Higher -- California
Ephemera
Financial records
Invitation cards
Law schools -- California
Legislation -- California
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History
Malibu (Calif.) -- History
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Politics and government -- 20th
century
Newspapers
Patriotism
Political campaigns -- California -- History -- 20th century
Photographs
Photograph albums
Scrapbooks
Scholarships -- California
Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 20th century
United States -- Politics and government
Universities and colleges -- Planning
Universities and colleges -- Finance
Universities and colleges -- California -- History
Universities and colleges -- California -- Malibu -- History
Women -- California -- History
Women -- Societies and clubs
Davenport, David
Deukmejian, George
Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous)
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University. Board of Regents
Pepperdine University. Crest Associates
Pepperdine University. Pepperdine Associates
Pepperdine University. School of Law
Reagan, Ronald
Bush, George
Bush, Barbara
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )
Eisenhower, Mamie Doud
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David)
Ford, Gerald R.
Mount Vernon College
Claremont McKenna College