William Byron Rumford papers, 1934-1982

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Summary

Creators:
Rumford, William Byron
Abstract:
The William Byron Rumford papers including correspondence, subject files, legislative files and campaign materials.
Extent:
10 cartons, 1 box, 1 oversize box, 1 oversize folder (13.50 linear feet)
Language:
Collection materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Byron Rumford papers, BANC MSS 73/112 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Background

Scope and content:

Documenting the life and political career of the first African American elected to public office in Northern California, the William Byron Rumford papers are a great resource not only for local Berkeley and California political history, but moreover for the information they provide on the tenor and shift of attitudes towards race at the tail end of the 1950s and early 1960s. The collection also ably documents Rumford’s controversial and contested Senate campaign and the numerous bills he worked on while in office. Additional highlights include materials on the Negro Political Action Association of California (NPAAC) and a small collection of broadsides, pamphlets and newsletters from white supremacists groups in California. In tandem with other documents on civil rights, these materials provide a multi-faceted snapshot of the racial climate in the U.S. mid-century.

Biographical / historical:

A California State Assemblyman for the 17th District from 1949-1967, William Byron Rumford was a steely pioneer who struggled against the obstacles that would bar him and other people of color from succeeding and attaining parity. A proponent of fair housing and employment legislation, Rumford equally concentrated his efforts on curbing youth unemployment and working towards a higher minimum wage. A pharmacist by training and profession (he owned and ran Rumford’s Pharmacy in Berkeley), he also focused on a number of health issues including the effects of air pollution and tuberculosis.

Acquisition information:
Donated by William Byron Rumford in 1973 and 1984.
Processing information:

Processed by Mario H. Ramirez.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. 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.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William Byron Rumford papers, BANC MSS 73/112 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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