A Guide to the Papers of James J. Kilpatrick Kilpatrick, James J., Papers 6626-b

A Guide to the Papers of James J. Kilpatrick

A Collection in
Special Collections
The University of Virginia Library
Accession number 6626-b


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Processed by: Special Collections Staff

Repository
Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Collection Number
6626-b
Title
Papers of James J. Kilpatrick
Physical Characteristics
The collection consists of ca. 35,000 items.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions

Preferred Citation

Papers of James J. Kilpatrick, Accession #6626-b, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

These papers were given to the University of Virginia Library by James J. Kilpatrick on January 11, 1968.

Biographical/Historical Information

James J. Kilpatrick (November 1, 1920–August 15, 2010) was an American editorial columnist and grammarian who offered conservative views on subjects ranging from politics to the proper use of English.

At the Richmond News Leader, Mr. Kilpatrick wrote editorials that thundered support for "massive resistance" to race-mixing in public schools, an effort pushed by the political machine of U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd, Sr. that worked to shut down public schools rather than integrate them.

Mr. Kilpatrick rose to national prominence at the Richmond paper. In books, essays and editorials, he was known for clothing segregationist doctrine in the terms of constitutional argument. For example, he gave new life to the idea of interposition championed by antebellum Sen. John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, who argued that states could protect their citizens from the authority of the federal government. Many Southern states began to pass pro-segregation laws that adopted the interposition language promoted by Kilpatrick.

Kilpatrick began writing his syndicated political column, "A Conservative View," in 1964 and left the News Leader in 1966. His stature as a writer, lecturer and commentator on public-affairs shows led to his appearances on the "60 Minutes" segment "Point-Counterpoint" in the 1970s. On the program, Mr. Kilpatrick debated such policy issues as family planning and the Vietnam War against liberal authors Nicholas von Hoffman and later Shana Alexander. "Point-Counterpoint" was memorably parodied on "Saturday Night Live" with Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin in the roles. "Jane, you ignorant slut," became a national catchphrase uttered by Aykroyd's character. "Dan, you pompous ass," was Curtin's retort.

In addition to "A Conservative View," Mr. Kilpatrick wrote the syndicated columns "Covering the Courts," which focused on the U.S. Supreme Court, and "The Writer's Art," a column about language and what he considered its frequent misuse. Kilpatrick collaborated on a book, "A Political Bestiary" (1978), a satirical dictionary of government jargon, with cartoonist Jeff MacNelly.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence and the writings of James Jackson Kilpatrick while he was editor of the Richmond News Leader (1954-1966), ca. 35,000 items (69 Hollinger boxes, 29.5 linear feet), ca. 1925-1966 (bulk 1950-1966). It includes correspondence with his readers and prominent public figures, editorials, speeches and public appearances, and the books The Sovereign States (1957), The Lasting South (1957), The Smut Peddlers (1960), and The Southern Case for School Segregation (1962). The dominant theme of the collection is Federal infringement on State's Rights which includes segregation, interposition, and fluoridation. Other topics include payola, Richmond, Virginian's baseball team, the National Conference of Editorial Writers, and a debate with Martin Luther King, Jr. on the nation's future (see Box 62)

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in four series: Series I: Correspondence (Boxes 1-57); Series II: Editorials and Editorial Materials (Boxes 58-62); Series III: Speeches and Public Appearances (Boxes 62-64); and, Series IV: Book Manuscripts and Reviews (Boxes 65-69

Contents List

Series I: Correspondence
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Series II: Editorials and Editorial Materials
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Series III: Speeches and Public Appearances
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Series IV: Book Manuscripts and Reviews
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