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Preferred Citation: Braswell D. Deen, Sr. Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.
Braswell D. Deen, Sr., second oldest of twelve children, was born on June 28, 1893, on a farm south of Baxley, Appling County, Georgia, son of Samuel and Victory Altman Deen. His families were early pioneers of southeast Georgia, both his paternal and maternal grandfathers serving with distinction in the Confederate Army.
He worked his way through Young Harris College and Emory University. In 1916 he was elected County School Superintendent of Appling County, Georgia, later voluntarily resigning to enter the armed services in World War I. In 1924 Deen was elected President of the South Georgia Junior College at McRae, Georgia, which position he held through May 1928. He became editor and owner of the Alma Times, a weekly newspaper in Alma, Georgia in 1928.
Deen was elected to the United States Congress in the 8th District in 1932, receiving more than 75% of the total vote. He was re-elected in 1934 and 1936. He declined to be a candidate in 1938 because of poor health. In 1939 he was appointed by Governor E. D. Rivers as State Director of the Georgia Department of Public Welfare.
Deen represented State Mutual Insurance Company in general sales in southeast Georgia. He was also engaged in extensive farming and cattle production.
Along with many other achievements, he helped secure the REA (Rural Electrification Administration) Headquarters in Alma for eight counties and authored, introduced and secured successful passage in the U. S. Congress of his House Bill No. 12120 entitled, "A Bill for the Further Development of Vocational Education in the Several States and Territories." The George-Deen Vocational Bill extended funding for vocational programs and expanded the program to provide educational opportunities to adults. At the FAA Camp, there stands a beautiful building constructed in 1960 named after Congressman Deen and Senator Walter F. George.
He married Corrine Smith of Lawrenceville, Georgia. They had four children, Mildred Deen Galusha, Braswell D. Deen, Jr., Walter George Deen and Ralph Lee Deen. He died in November 1981.
The Braswell Deen Sr. papers consist of materials from 1917-1984 with the bulk of the items dating from 1960 to 1982. The papers include a manuscript written by his son, Braswell Deen, Jr., correspondence (1917-1979), manuscripts, thoughts and poems written by Deen, newspaper clippings, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks and a 1921 Emory yearbook. The materials document Deen's campaign for US House of Representatives in the Georgia's Eighth District, his career as Director of Public Welfare, his interest in family genealogy, and his writing career. There is also biographical information on Deen, Sr.
The papers are divided into three series: I. Personal, II. Scrapbooks, and III. Photographs. Arrangement is by type of record, then in chronological order when possible.
I. Personal files, 1917-1984 2 boxes, 1.5 linear feet
This series consists of correspondence, speeches, a 1921 Emory University yearbook, biographies on Deen, and his writings. Included is a biography written about Deen by his son, Braswell Deen, Jr.
II. Scrapbooks, 1932, 1939-1940 1 box, 1 linear foot
The 1932 scrapbook relates to Deen's 1932 congressional race. This documents Deen's campaign activities and includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence and invitations. The 1939-1940 scrapbook describes Deen's service as Director of Public Welfare in the State of Georgia with newspaper clippings.
Deen , Braswell D., 1893-1981.
United States. Congress. House --Elections, 1932.
Legislators --United States.
Elections --Georgia --History --20th century.
Public welfare --Georgia.
Georgia --Economic conditions.
Georgia --Social policy.