Finding aid prepared by Laura A. Hess
King Swope papers
1882-1957
University of Kentucky Special Collections
Collection is arranged by format and subject of materials, and then chronologically within the scrapbooks.
Housed with multiple collections.
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
61M248: [Identification of item], King Swope papers, 1882-1957, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
6.69 Cubic feet
39 items, 4 boxes
King Swope, a native of Boyle County, Kentucky, began practicing law in Lexington, Kentucky, while attending the University of Kentucky law school. However, his practice was interrupted by his service in World War I. After the war, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (1919-1921) from the eighth Congressional District. At twenty-six years of age, he was one of the youngest members of Congress ever to assume that office. When he failed to gain re-election, Swope returned to Kentucky and opened a law practice in Lexington. In 1931, Governor Flem D. Sampson appointed Swope to a judgeship in the Fayette County Circuit Court. Swope served in that capacity until 1940, when he again resumed private practice.
In 1935, Swope, the Republican nominee, lost the gubernatorial election to Lieutenant Governor Albert B. Happy Chandler and in 1939, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for governor, losing in the primary to John Sherman Cooper.
Swope, King (1893 - 1961). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Web. 06 October, 2011.
The King Swope papers consists of scrapbooks, pamphlets, speeches, posters, and correspondence. The scrapbooks follow political events and issues at the Kentucky state, national, and international level and specifically emphasize Swope's political career as Fayette County circuit court judge and United States Congressman as well as his two campaigns for the Kentucky governor's office. Speeches, posters, and correspondence further outline details of Swope's campaigns. The Republican party features prominently in all materials. Many personal events and milestones in Swope's life are also included in the scrapbooks and other materials.
The Scrapbooks series contains volumes that records political and historical events on a state, national, and international level. Most of the scrapbooks are composed of newspaper clippings, but there are many business and personal letters, event programs, and other items included as well. A large emphasis is placed on the Republican party and Swope's political career.
Swope is a series of scrapbooks about the career and personal life of Judge King Swope. It includes newspaper clippings from multiple local and national newspapers, as well as letters and telegraphs, photographs, programs from various events, and political propaganda. The series covers Swope's career as United States Congressional Representative, his years as Fayette County Circuit Court judge in Lexington, and his campaign for the governor's office in 1935 and 1939. Special emphasis is given to the events and platforms of the Republican party.
Politics is a series of scrapbooks regarding state, national, and international politics and events. This includes Kentucky gubernatorial election, the United States presidential elections, and global financial affairs.
Kentucky politics is a series of scrapbooks with newspaper clippings about events in the Kentucky state government and politics, including gubernatorial races. Special emphasis is given to A.B. Happy Chandler and his campaigns for the governor's office and United States Senate as well as his administration as governor.
WWII is a series of scrapbooks with newspaper clippings about events in WWII, both abroad and at home.
George Denny, Jr. is a series of scrapbooks with newspaper clippings of political discussion and commentary as well as the printed speeches by presidential candidates in the 1904 election.
The Speeches series contains typed copies of speeches given by Swope and notebooks of hand-written speech drafts. There are also typed copies of various political speeches by other people.
The Correspondence series contains letters to Swope from multiple persons.
Letter was originally housed with the scrapbook Volume 14.
The Campaign posters series contains four advertisements for Swope's campaign for the governor's office.
Posters for Swope's gubernatorial campaign. Originally found with scrapbooks Volume 13-14.
The Realia series contains pins for King Swope from the Republican National Convention and Mrs. Swope from the American Bar Association. They are wrapped in tissue paper as two separate items.
The Printed materials series consists of various documents of both political and historical nature, including Republican party propaganda, materials from the Abraham Lincoln Association, and political satire.
Political contains various materials from the Republican party, pamphlets and commentary about political issues (especially Roosevelt's administration), and political satire.
Yearbook contains the 1914 Cardinal and Blue album from Center College in Danville, Kentucky.
Historical contains various materials from the Abraham Lincoln Association and pamphlets written by Katharine Hayden Salter.