The William A. Burkett papers, 1916-2000, contain speeches, correspondence, meeting minutes, subject files, newspaper clippings, press releases, biographical information, and scrapbooks. The papers span the course of Burkett's lifetime, and include professional papers from his time as California's Director of Employment and California's Superintendent of Banks during the Goodwin Knight administration. Particularly of note is a small selection of papers relating to Japanese Government bonds that were seized from the San Francisco branch of the Yokohama Specie Bank during World War II and held by the Superintendent of Banks of the State of California until the 1950's. There is also information regarding Burkett's family life, including papers by and about his wife, Julie Burkett, and their children. Papers are arranged as received.

William A. Burkett was born in Herman, Nebraska in 1913. During Goodwin Knight's term as Governor of California Burkett served in the governor's cabinet, first as Director of the California Department of Employment, and later the State of California Superintendent of Banks. During this time he also served as the President of the National Association of Supervisors of State Banks. After leaving office he became the president and majority stockholder of the Security National Bank of Monterey County. Over the span of his professional life Burkett ran for a number of political offices, including Nebraska congressional representative, and Nebraska secretary of state, U.S. congressional representative of San Mateo County, California, Governor of California, and California State Treasurer.

Number of containers: 20 cartons, 1 box, 30 volumes Linear feet: 39.2

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Collection is open for research.