HUBERT H. HUMPHREY:

An Inventory of His Autobiography (The Education of a Public Man) Files at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator: Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978, creator.
Title:Autobiography (The Education of a Public Man) files.
Dates:1966-1976.
Language:Materials in English.
Quantity: 8.0 cubic feet (8 boxes), 21 master audio files: WAV (9.9 GB), and 21 user audio files: MP3 (1.4 GB).
Location:See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

Drafts, page proofs, notes, memoranda, transcripts of reminiscences and interviews, background materials, and some correspondence gathered during the preparation of Humphrey's published autobiography, The Education of a Public Man (N.Y.: Doubleday, 1976).

Humphrey's friend and associate, Norman Sherman, oversaw much of the work that is reflected in these files, especially the compilation of data and transcripts and the writing and editing of the final drafts. Some background materials predate the compilation of the files.


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Expand/CollapseARRANGEMENT

These documents are organized into the following sections:

Interview Transcripts
Norman Sherman Background and Correspondence Files
Book Text Files
Miscellaneous Materials


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Hubert H. Humphrey Papers. Autobiography (The Education of a Public Man) files. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: Many, see separate Humphrey, Hubert H. accession file.

Location of Master Files

Digital masters of audiocassettes are maintained on the Society’s secure digital collections storage servers and are managed and preserved in accordance with archival best practices.

The original audiocassettes were disposed after they were digitally reformatted into wav files.

Processing Information:

Digital audio transferred from the master audiocassettes by the Minnesota Historical Society for preservation purposes (July 2025).

Digitization and encoding by April Rodriguez (August 2025).

Catalog ID number: 99006951607010429


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Note to Researchers: These materials were given preliminary organization only. To request materials, please note both the location and box number shown below.

Expand/CollapseINTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS

All consist of an original and two carbon copies, unless otherwise noted. Also included are a few speech transcripts.


LocationBox
148.B.9.10F11. Humphrey/Theodore H. White, undated.
2. Humphrey/Bill Emerson, September 1968.
3. Robert Osborn and Bob Cuney, Huron, South Dakota, by Norman Sherman, March 20, 1969.
4. Stilo Nickolich, Huron, South Dakota, by Norman Sherman, March 20, 1969.
May be incomplete.
5. Olga Burge, Estoline, South Dakota, by Eiler Ravnholt, October 20, 1965.
6. Mrs. Doty and Mrs. Herther, Doland, South Dakota, by Norman Sherman, March 20, 1969.
7. Jim Lovelace, Huron, South Dakota, by Norman Sherman, March 20, 1969.
8. Steve Neholte, Teamsters' Union, by Norman Sherman, May 1969.
9. Marvin Kline, by Charles MacDonald, May 13, 1969.
10. Benjamin Lippincott, by Norman Sherman, 1969.
Lippincott was professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. He was one of the group around Humphrey and Evron Kirkpatrick in the early pre-mayoral years.
11. Humphrey/Minnesota Press Club, May 15, 1969.
Includes speech and question and answer session.
12. Cecil Newman, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
13. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, February 10, 1969.
1943 pre-mayoralty.
14. Humphrey Recalling Election Day, 1968.
Reminiscence. Accompanied by schedule and notes.
15. Charles Hyneman, by Norman Sherman, March 11, 1969.
President of the local chapter of the American Association of University Professors; teacher of political science; chairman of the political science department, University of Minnesota; director, Bureau of Government Research.
16. Huey Long Comments by Humphrey, undated.
17. Eugene Bernath, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
Head of Morals Squad.
18. Howard Y. Williams, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
19. David J. Winton, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
Includes controversy over teaching methods at Macalester College, and loneliness of first Senate year.
20. Mrs. Greenberg, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
21. Ed Ryan, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
22. Dr. E. J. Huenekins, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
23. Dr. William Anderson, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
24. Mrs. Eleanor Moen, by Charles MacDonald, May 15, 1969.
25. Bradley Morison, by Charles MacDonald, May 1969.
26. Harold Seavey, by Norman Sherman, Spring 1969.
Seavey was an AFL-CIO leader, and when Humphrey first ran for mayor of Minneapolis was a Teamsters leader.
27. Frank Adams, by Norman Sherman, undated.
Chairman of the Junior Farmer-Labor-Party at the University of Minnesota, 1937-1938.
28. Mrs. Irvine MacQuarrie, by Charles MacDonald, May 5, 1969.
Former president, League of Women Voters.
29. Evron Kirkpatrick, by Norman Sherman, March 13, 1969.
30. Sander D. Genis, by Charles MacDonald, undated.
Representative of CIO and organized unions.
31. Humphrey Alfalfa Speech, District of Columbia, January 24, 1970.
LocationBox
148.B.9.11B232. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, undated.
Also with Ken McCormich and Sam Vaughan. 1969 return to teaching; Indians; University of Minnesota ROTC, 1929; grandfather--sea to land; prevailing influence in Doland.
33. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, undated.
1943 mayorship and amalgamation of DFL.
34. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, September 26, 1969.
Pre-mayor and beginning mayor years, 1943-1945.
35. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, undated.
Mayoralty; 1946 DFL convention and left wing.
36. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, June 24, 1969.
Early subjects.
37. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, September 1969.
Mayoral years, 1945 onward.
38. Interview with Mr. Palgi and Mr. Humphrey, undated.
Member of the Kibuts (kibbutz?)
39. Humphrey Remarks on Urban Crisis Symposium, Macalester College, February 23, 1969.
40. "My Father," article by Humphrey.
41. Arthur Naftalin, by Norman Sherman, November 25, 1969.
42. Interview with Eric Hoffer on Lyndon B. Johnson and Humphrey, undated.
Interviewer not identified.
43. Humphrey speech commemorating Martin Luther King's birthday at Shiloh Baptist Church, January 15, 1970.
44. Humphrey address at Willmar DFL fund raiser, January 17, 1970.
45. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, undated.
On Franklin D. Roosevelt's death, Harry S. Truman, Henry Wallace.
46. Humphrey/Norman Sherman, undated.
Humphrey's early relationship with Lyndon B. Johnson.
47. Humphrey by Harrison Salisbury, January 22, 1970.
48. Humphrey recorded on the Virgin Islands, November 25-30.
Year is unknown.
49. Humphrey/Fentriss, June 27, 1973.

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Expand/CollapseNORMAN SHERMAN BACKGROUND AND CORRESPONDENCE FILES

LocationBox
148.B.9.11B2Miscellaneous notes and bibliographic citations.
Includes 2 pages of miscellaneous notes for a Hubert Humphrey, Sr., sermon.
Mayor's Years: Research Notes.
Includes outlines, list of questions, quotes, memoranda, photocopies of letters and articles.
Senate Years: Research Notes.
Outlines, list of questions, quotes, memoranda.
Miscellaneous notes.
Articles by Humphrey, 1948-1969.
Miscellaneous Notes:
Largely photocopies of speeches, letters, articles.
Vietnam, 1964.
Vice Presidential Choice, 1964.
Election, 1964.
Presidential Change, 1963-1964.
Campaign, 1964.
Europe, 1964.
Civil Rights Bill, 1964.
South Dakota I: Note cards: South Dakota in the 1930s.
Telecast over WCCO for Orville Freeman's DFL Candidacy for Attorney General, November 4, 1950.
Includes joint interview with Professor Benjamin Lippincott, Humphrey, and Freeman.
Campaign Protest Songs, 1968.
Humphrey Family Background Materials.
South Dakota Economic Situation.
Civil Rights.
Mainly Congressional Record copies.
Historical Society Project Correspondence, 1969-1970.
Humphrey Speech, Brainerd State Hospital, August 24, 1969.
Memos regarding contents of book, 1966-1976.
Correspondence regarding publication of book, 1974-1976.
Interviews for Book.
Sample letters and list of interview prospects.
South Dakota Interview Correspondence, 1969.
Humphrey-Reinhold Niebuhr Correspondence, 1969.
Concerning publication of book.

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Expand/CollapseBOOK TEXT FILES

LocationBox
148.B.9.12F3Chapter Drafts. 1 packet.
Complete Manuscript. Original (3 packets) and photocopy (1 packet).
LocationBox
148.B.9.13B4Final Galleys.
Two sets, with assorted annotations.
Discarded Pages. 1 packet.
Final Draft? 2 packets.
Index (draft).
Original and photocopy, both annotated.
Draft (2nd copy). 1 packet.
LocationBox
148.B.9.14F5Humphrey Book Manuscript. 1 packet.
Some draft pages, and transcripts of Humphrey dictation.
Complete draft? 1 volume.
Miscellaneous background materials. 2 folders.
Humphrey memos and notes. 1 packet.
Miscellaneous correspondence regarding production and content. 1 envelope, 1 folder.
Bricker Amendment (articles). 1 envelope.
LocationBox
148.B.9.15B6Drafts.
Originals and photocopies. Not foldered, not labeled. Not organized, although the pages of many individual chapters or sequences appear to be in order. Much duplication.
LocationBox
148.B.9.16F7Draft.
Portions of a first and/or second draft of various chapters, pulled together from various parts of the files and foldered. A few duplicate pages that had been annotated or later revised were retained. Additional duplicates and/or annotated copies are probably in boxes 3-6.

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Expand/CollapseMISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS

Location
InternetAudio recordings:
Found separate from the collection (July 2025).
1960s and Watts riot, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 32 minutes): WAV (477 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (68.2 MB).
1960s and Watts riots, undatedDigital audio
Anecdotal material and LBJ, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 7 minutes): WAV (659 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (99.4 MB).
Anecdotal material and LBJ, undatedDigital audio
Anecdote and Vice President, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 33 minutes): WAV (484 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (71.5 MB).
Anecdote and VP, undatedDigital audio
Civil rights and LBJ, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 7 minutes): WAV (657 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (95 MB).
Civil rights and LBJ, undatedDigital audio
College and riots and 1960s, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 32 minutes): WAV (477 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (68.8 MB).
College and riots and 1960s, undatedDigital audio
Federal aid to education and food, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 7 minutes): WAV (657 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (87.8 MB).
Federal aid to education and food, undatedDigital audio
Grandpa and family, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 5 minutes): WAV (336 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (50.5 MB).
Grandpa and family, undatedDigital audio
Hoover commission and Truman, undated. 1 master audio file (58 minutes, 58 seconds): WAV (304 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (43.8 MB).
Hoover commission and Truman, undatedDigital audio
John Reilly and 1966, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 20 minutes): WAV (418 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (60.4 MB).
John Reilly and 1966, undatedDigital audio
Kennedy and 1960 to 1964, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 32 minutes): WAV (477 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (69.6 MB).
Kennedy and 1960 to 1964, undatedDigital audio
LBJ and funeral and 1964, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 33 minutes): WAV (483 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (70.1 MB).
LBJ and funeral and 1964, undatedDigital audio
LBJ and Southern influence, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 6 minutes): WAV (654 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (87.2 MB).
LBJ and Southern influence, undatedDigital audio
McCarthy period, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 35 minutes): WAV (494 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (70.3 MB).
McCarthy period, undatedDigital audio
Presidential bids, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 32 minutes): WAV (476 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (63.8 MB).
Presidential bids, undatedDigital audio
Republican politicians, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 35 minutes): WAV (494 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (74.2 MB).
Republican politicians, undatedDigital audio
Senator Kennedy, undated. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 6 minutes): WAV (655 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (85 MB).
Senator Kennedy, undatedDigital audio
South Dakota and Peace Corps and space, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 31 minutes): WAV (474 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (70.4 MB).
South Dakota and Peace Corp and space, undatedDigital audio
South Dakota and the Depression, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 35 minutes): WAV (494 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (68.1 MB).
South Dakota and the Depression, undatedDigital audio
Unknown man notes on Humphrey, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 17 minutes): WAV (398 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (55.2 MB).
Unknown man notes on Humphrey, undatedDigital audio
Vice President and campaign 1964, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 32 minutes): WAV (478 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (69.4 MB).
VP and campaign 1964, undatedDigital audio
Vide President offer and LBJ, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 10 minutes): WAV (366 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (54.2 MB).
VP offer and LBJ, undatedDigital audio
LocationBox
148.B.9.16F7Transcripts of Humphrey Reminiscences:
Three sets, from numbered tape recordings, of the dictation by Humphrey that formed the core of the autobiography.
Set 1: Tapes 1-10. 4 folders.
Various combinations of originals and carbons.
Set 2: Tapes 5-9 [8].
Originals and carbons, some incomplete.
Set 3: Tapes 1-4, 9-10. 2 folders.
Originals and carbons of tapes 1-4; carbons only of tapes 9- 10. May be part of Set 2, although the typeface is different.
"McCarthy" (Joseph) (original). 13 pp.
Original.
"Questions for Book" and Notes.
Miscellaneous notes and bits of text. 2 folders.
Congressional Record indexes. 1 packet.
Congressional Record excerpts:
Foreign Relations.
Labor.
Agenda for Party and Self.
Trade.
McCarran Act.
Liberal-Conservative Clashes.
LocationBox
148.B.10.1B8Miscellany.
Miscellaneous notes and memos from Humphrey staff and others, mainly making comments and suggestions regarding the autobiography draft; assorted pages of draft text; some copies of articles, speeches, notes, and background materials; transcripts of Humphrey dictation; Congressional Record and Congressional Quarterly excerpts.
Transcripts of Humphrey Dictation. 6 folders.
Folders labeled 1A-B through 6A-B.
Transcripts of Humphrey Dictation.
Unnumbered, unfoldered.
"Humphrey Copies-Book Tapes," January 1975.
Folder transferred from Humphrey miscellaneous personal and family materials.

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