J. Bracken Lee papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0037

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The J. Bracken Lee papers (1948-1974) consist of the personal and political papers of J. Bracken Lee, governor of Utah from 1949-1957. Included are meeting materials, reports, correspondence, speeches, press releases, scrapbooks, and other materials. The filing system set up by Lee's office was retained. The files are arranged alphabetically by subject and name and filed in chronological order. Boxes 1-138 contain the major part of this collection, directly relating to issues in city politics and government. Addenda to the collection include personal and political correspondence not necessarily related to Lee's position as mayor of Salt Lake City. Other material includes family correspondence, printed material, reports, correspondence, political campaigns materials, supporter and contributor papers, and a biography written by George B. Russell entitled J. Bracken Lee: The Taxpayer's Champion. A sizable portion of the collection is related to the "For America" organization in which Lee was involved from 1955, an organization attempting to find a way to stop federal income tax revenue from being used in the Foreign Aid Program and seeking to have the federal income tax law repealed. Letters, membership lists, speeches, programs, brochures and other material from a majority of the states are included.

Dates

1948-1974

Creator

Lee, J. Bracken (Joseph Bracken), 1899-1996 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

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

A native of Price, Utah, J. Bracken Lee was born 7 January 1899, a son of Arthur James and Ida May (Leiter) Lee. He received his elementary school training in Fruita, Colorado, and later graduated from Carbon High School in Price, Utah, in 1917. On graduation day he enlisted in the United States Army and served throughout World War I. He was honorably discharged in March 1919, with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, but retained his commission in the reserve officers corps. After serving in the military, he returned to civilian life in Price where he became involved in the insurance and real estate business.

In 1920, J. Bracken Lee married Nellie Pace and two years later on January 29, 1922 they became parents of a daughter, Helen Virginia. Illness brought death to Nellie on January 1, 1926 leaving him a widower with a four-year old daughter. He married Margaret Draper on February 23, 1928 at Price, Utah. They are the parents of the following children: James Bracken, Margaret Jon, and Richard Lewis.

Beginning in the early 1930's Lee became very interested in public affairs. He was elected mayor of Price, Utah, in the fall of 1935 and served six successive terms before declining nomination for a seventh.

Defeat as a candidate for the U. S. House of Representatives and his first try for governorship of Utah did not discourage Lee. In 1948 he was elected to the office of governor by an overwhelming majority. In 1952 he was re-elected by an even greater margin.

After failing in his bid for the U. S. Senate on the Independent ticket in 1958, he ran for mayor of Salt Lake City in 1959. He received more votes than all five of his opponents combined in the primary contest, and in the general election he defeated his opponent with the largest number of votes received by a mayoralty candidate. He campaigned for re-election in November 1963 and again when the votes were counted it was another Lee landslide. In a third consecutive campaign in 1967 he received another vote of confidence and was re-elected for his third term as mayor.

J. Bracken Lee retired in 1972 after serving in public office for 32 years.

Extent

95 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

Arranged by subject, thereunder alphabetically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-138 were donated in 1972.

Boxes 139-163 were donated in 1978.

Boxes 164-181 were donated in unknown date.

Boxes 182-203 were donated in unknown date.