Guide to the Papers of James G. Fulton, 1945-1971
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Papers of James G. Fulton
- Creator
- Fulton, James G., -- 1903-1971.
- Collection Number
- MSS#103
- Extent
- 1.0 cubic feet (1 Box)
- Date
- 1945-1971
- Abstract
- James Grove Fulton was an elected Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1945 until his death on October 6, 1971. His political career was a long and active one, beginning in 1939 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 45th district. From 1945 until his death, he was elected to each succeeding Congress. These papers include correspondence, invitations, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, a scrapbook, and other sundry items. While these materials contain very little documentation of the functions, decision making process or activities of a congressional office, they do provide a varied look at Congressman Fulton's political career, especially the earlier years.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Biographical Sketch of James G. Fulton (1903-1971)
James Grove Fulton was an elected Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1945 until his death on October 6, 1971. His political career was a long and active one, beginning in 1939 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 45th district. His transition to national politics came when, as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II, he was called back from active duty in the Pacific to take the seat in the House of Representatives, to which he had been elected in 1944. From 1945 until his death, he was elected to each succeeding Congress. Congressman Fulton was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was active in international relations. President Truman appointed his as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment of Havana in 1947-48, and during the 80th Congress, he chaired a special subcommittee investigating the problem of displaced persons. Fulton co-authored a study on international trade organizations, was decorated by the Republic of Italy in 1956, and in 1959 was selected by President Eisenhower to serve as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. He was a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and in 1970, was the second ranking member of the Committee on Science and Astronautics. The Speaker of the House nominated him as a Congressional Advisor to the U.S. Representative on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space from 1962-1964. Fulton was also a member of the Congressional Committee on Construction of a Building for a Museum of History and Technology for the Smithsonian Institution.
James Grove Fulton was born in Dormont Borough (South Hills suburb of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County,Pennsylvania) on March 1, 1903. He graduated from South Hills High School and then entered the Pennsylvania State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1924. He was accepted into Harvard Law School and graduated in 1927 with a Bachelor of Law degree. After graduation, he specialized in corporate and banking law with the law firm of Alter, Wright and Barron. Fulton was a member of the Allegheny County (Pa.) Board of Law Examiners and served as the solicitor for Dormont Borough. In addition to his political career, Fulton was also a farmer, restorer of old houses, and the owner and publisher of several weekly newspapers in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, including the Mt. Lebanon News, The Boro News, the Chartiers Valley Times Progress, the Dormont News and others. He was active in many civic and political organizations in Allegheny County, including the Young Republican National Hall of Fame, the American Legion, and the Civic Club of Allegheny County. He studied for two years in the Fine Arts Department of the Carnegie Institute of Technology and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Pittsburgh Opera.
Scope and Content Notes
The James G. Fulton Papers include correspondence, invitations, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, a scrapbook, and other sundry items. While these materials contain very little documentation of the functions, decision making process or activities of a congressional office, they do provide a varied look at Congressman Fulton's political career, especially the earlier years. Materials range from programs for social engagements, to public reaction on specific issues and speeches. The newspaper clippings document many political issues of the day, including a bill proposing a women's Naval Academy, the issue of nurses and spouses serving in combat together, and an 18-month draft service. Clippings also record both positive and negative reaction to Fulton's remarks, debates and speeches, including a critique of his Congressional freshman speech of February 27, 1945. While they extol his proficiency as a lawyer and debater, the clippings also complain of Fulton's "long windedness," and document his personal defense against accusations that he was a Communist sympathizer. Of further note, the correspondence includes many letters (1946) from irate constituents voicing their disapproval over Fulton's initiative to provide First Lady Bess Truman with an annual salary.
Additional materials include correspondence, consisting primarily of thank you notes; invitations, programs and menus for social events; a scrapbook containing memorabilia of Fulton's college life and trips to the Western United States, Europe and the Orient (1927); and materials documenting his interest in restoring old houses, especially the Hupp Homestead. Lacking in this collection is evidence of Fulton's involvement in the newspaper publishing business.
Arrangement
The James G. Fulton Papers are housed in one archival box, and are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials came in one accession.
Acc# 1977.173 Gift of the Estate of James G. Fulton, (Collection). 1977
Preferred Citation
Papers of James G. Fulton, 1945-1971, MSS#103, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania staff c1977. Collection rearranged and inventory rewritten by David R. Kushner on April 11, 1994.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Susan M. Allen on December 1, 1999.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Fulton, James G., -- 1903-1971.
- Political consultants.
- Congresses and conventions
- Legislative bodies.
- Politicians -- Pennsylvania.