Kenneth Rush Collections Open Finding Aids

Kenneth Rush (1910-1994) was raised in Greeneville, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1930, and received his law degree from Yale two years later. After school, Rush practiced law in New York City and taught law at Duke University. In 1937, he joined Union Carbide Corporation, of which he became Vice President in 1949, director in 1958, executive Vice President in 1961, and President in 1966. He resigned from all private positions in 1969 to be Ambassador to Germany. President Richard Nixon appointed him the Deputy Secretary of Defense for 1972, and the next year Rush became Deputy Secretary of State. From 1974 to his retirement on March 15, 1977, he served as Ambassador to France. Over all those years, Rush remained loyal to his alma mater and served as a member and committee chairman of the UT Development Council from 1963 onward.

The collections contain correspondence from Rush or UT administrators (e.g., Ed Boling, Charles Brakebill, Andy Holt, and Joe Johnson) between 1962 and 1991, news articles on Rush, and other miscellaneous documents, such as a copy of Rush's UT grade report from 1930, copies of his 1962 commencement speech, biographical sketches, and a photograph. They also contain handwritten notes, letters, and articles concerning the 1971 Berlin Agreement, meetings with Henry Kissinger and French dignitaries, and interviews with Rush on his career.

Announcements

MPA Opens to Research - Monday, March 9

Research Room will be closed
Monday, March 16 - 19th during University Spring Break

Contact the Archives

The Modern Political Archives
Baker Center for Public Policy
1640 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-3340
Phone: 865.974.0931
Fax: 865.974.8777
Email: bobby.holt@utk.edu