William Walton (#302)

An Inventory of His Personal Papers
1947-1980
In the John F. Kennedy Library
National Archives and Records Administration

Administrative Information
Biographical Note
Collection Overview  
List of Series
Description


Administrative Information  

Abstract
Papers 1947-1980
Painter, author, Kennedy and Hemingway family friend. Chairman, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (1963-1971); trustee, John F. Kennedy Library Inc. Correspondence with the Kennedys and Hemingways; records from the Commission of Fine Arts, in particular relating to Washington D.C. and to Pennsylvania Avenue; items from political campaigns; correspondence, transcripts, news clippings, and photographs relating to the selection of an architect to design the John F. Kennedy Library; photographs of Elaine De Kooning's portraits of President Kennedy; a letter from Mary Hemingway; copy of A Civil War Courtship: the Letters of Edwin Weller from Antietem to Atlanta  (1980) and correspondence with the Kennedys, Martha Gellhorn and Beatrice (Mrs. George) Kaufman.

Access
Open.

Usage Restrictions
According to the deed of gift signed May 1993, copyright of these materials has been retained by the donor. Upon death of the donor, all said rights shall pass to the United States.  Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.

Copyright
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excesses of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. The copyright law extends its protection to unpublished works from the moment of creation in a tangible form. Direct your questions concerning copyright to the reference staff.

Provenance
Received from William Walton of Lyons, CO, in March 1993 (Acc. 1993-035), and in November 1993 (Acc. 1994-012).

Extent
About 5,950 items (3 linear feet, 1 linear inch ; 3.5 cubic feet)

Withdrawn Items
Items that could embarrass, injure or harass living persons have been removed and placed under seal. As specified by the deed of gift, items containing statements made by or to the donor in confidence have been also been removed and placed under seal, unless, in the judgment of the Director, the reason for confidentiality no longer exists. Items that are closed because of their national security classification have also been removed and placed under seal. Document withdrawal slips have been inserted in the file where items have been removed. All withdrawn documents have been placed under seal and upon request the Kennedy Library will review any material which has been closed for a period of not less than 2 years for the purpose of opening items which no longer require restrictions. Researchers should consult the reference staff to obtain the appropriate form(s).

Date Opened
May 1993.

Processed by
Megan F. Desnoyers and Sarah Demb

Encoded by
James M. Roth

Related Collections
Records of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
William Walton Oral History Interview, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library

The Personal Papers of William Walton(1909-1994)

Biographical Note
William Walton was born in Jacksonville, IL, in 1909. He attended the University of Wisconsin. Walton began his career as a reporter, working for the Associated Press in Chicago and New York, as a staff member of PM  in 1941, and as a war correspondent for Time magazine. In 1946, Walton resigned from his position of Foreign Editor for Life magazine to become a full time painter. In 1960, Walton worked on John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, and later on Robert F. Kennedy’s senate campaign in 1964, and on the presidential campaign in 1968. From 1963 to 1971, Walton was the chairman of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts. Walton also served as a trustee for the John F. Kennedy Library and was chairman of the Advisory Committee on Arts and Architecture. William Walton died in 1994.

Collection Overview
This collection of William Walton’s personal papers primarily concern the period in which Walton was a campaign worker for John F. Kennedy in 1960, for Robert F. Kennedy in New York in 1964 and 1968; during his tenure as member and then Chairman of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, and his time as a Trustee of the John F. Kennedy Library. The papers also include some personal material, photographs, calendars and clippings. The papers are arranged into four series: Correspondence, Subject Files, Political Files and the Roosevelt Island Project Files.

List of Series
Series 1. Correspondence
Series 2. Subject Files
Series 3. Political Files
Series 4. Roosevelt Island Project Files

Collection Description

Series 1. Correspondence.
Arrangement: by subject.

This series contains correspondence from members of congress, Ernest and Mary Hemingway, John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy, and general correspondence.
  

Series 2. Subject Files.
Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

This series contains files on Art and Literature, the Capital District, the John F. Kennedy Library, and the Fine Arts Commission. Art and Literature files contain books and articles by William Walton, clippings, personal essays, and photographs related to the subject of Art and Literature. Capital District files and John F. Kennedy Library files contain correspondence, memoranda, statements, and clippings. Fine Arts Commission files contain administrative material, meeting transcripts, statements, memoranda, reports, and personal notes for political campaigns.
  

Series 3. Political Files.

This series contains personal memorabilia, notes, invitations, and ephemera of a political nature.
  

Series 4. Roosevelt Island Project Files.

This series contains notes and other materials related to the Roosevelt Island Project.