Mitchell Melich papers
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 2050
Scope and Contents
The Mitchell Melich papers (1932-1973) contain correspondence, cards, handwritten notes, notebooks, appointment books, travel itineraries, calendar books, passports, general Republican Party materials, mining materials, gubernatorial campaign materials, financial documents, and news clippings. This collection covers four main portions of Mitch's life: mining, gubernatorial campaign, service in the Republican Party, and Solicitor of the Department of Interior.
Dates
- 1932-2004
Creator
- Melich, Mitchell, 1912-1999 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
Mitchell Melich (1912-1999) was born on 1 February 1912. His father was an immigrant from Serbia and a miner in Bingham Canyon. Melich attended Highland Boy Grade School from 1918-1925, Bingham High School from 1925-1929, and the University of Utah from 1929-1934. He received an LL.B. degree and married his wife Doris a year later. Following graduation from law school at the University of Utah, Melich started a personal law practice in Moab. From 1934 to 1950 he held in several public offices including City Attorney, County Attorney for Grand County, State Senator, and Senate Minority Leader. In 1952 Melich served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Melich became associated with Charlie Steen and was President of Uranium Reduction Company, operating one of the largest uranium mines in the country. From 1961 to 1963 he was a Republican National Committeeman for Utah, and in 1964 he ran for governor of the state. He won the Republican nomination for governor, but lost to Cal Rampton in the final election. In 1969 he was appointed by President Nixon as Solicitor of the Department of Interior, in which capacity he served until 1973. He and his wife returned to Utah in 1973 and Melich joined the law firm of Ray, Quinney and Nebeker, where he was a partner until 1996. Melich was devoted to the University of Utah and served on the state board of regents. Mitch Melich died of heart disease on 12 June 1999.
Extent
19.25 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Mitchell Melich papers (1932-1973) contain correspondence, cards, handwritten notes, notebooks, appointment books, travel itineraries, calendar books, passports, general Republican Party materials, mining materials, gubernatorial campaign materials, financial documents, and news clippings. This collection covers four main portions of Melich's life: mining, gubernatorial campaign, service in the Republican Party, and Solicitor of the Department of Interior.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Doris S. Melich in 2004.
Separated Materials
A campaign poster has been transferred to the map-case located in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P1129).
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P1129).
Processing Information
Processed by Matt Homer in 2004.
Addenda processed by Jennifer Sessions in 2006 and Jeri Foster in 2008.
Addenda processed by Jennifer Sessions in 2006 and Jeri Foster in 2008.
- Appointment books
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Correspondence
- Melich, Mitchell, 1912-1999 -- Archives
- Mines and Mineral Resources
- Mines and mineral resources -- Utah
- Notebooks
- Notes (documents)
- Republican Party (Utah)
- Uranium mines and mining -- Utah -- Sources
- Utah -- Politics and government
Creator
- Melich, Mitchell, 1912-1999 (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the Mitchell Melich papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Matt Homer.
- Date
- 2004 (last modified: 2020)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2006: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Jennifer Sessions.
- 2008: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Jeri Foster.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu