Sidney J. Marcus Papers, 1968-1983
72 boxes, 36 linear feet

Administrative Information

- Access Restrictions
- User Restrictions
- Processing Notes
- Copyright Information
- Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Content

Home

Organization and Arrangement

Related Collections

- In Russell Library
- In other repositories

Series Descriptions

Access Points

Folder List

Sidney Marcus

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions: Case files closed for 75 years after the date of their creation.

User Restrictions: Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

Processing Notes: The library material was all clearly marked as such, either by Marcus or his office, and has been kept in tact in this processing.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Preferred Citation: Sidney J. Marcus Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, The University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia.

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BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL NOTE:

Sidney J. Marcus was born in Cook County, Illinois on February 5, 1928. At age 10, Marcus and his family moved to Atlanta where he lived most of his life. Marcus graduated from the University of Georgia with an Associate of Business in 1948 and earned a doctorate in law from Emory University Law School. He served eight terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, 26th (later renamed 106) district from 1968 until his death in 1983. During this time, Marcus served as chairman of the Georgia House Health and Ecology Committee, and he was a member of the Rules Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. He also chaired the Fulton County House Delegation. During his political career, Marcus fought and won support for Grady Hospital, extension of MARTA sales tax, the World Congress Center , the hotel/motel tax, and many other measures that brought better treatment to the poor and elderly. Marcus was also active in Atlanta 's Jewish community. He served as a bridge between races, rural and urban interests, business interests and the less fortunate. Marcus helped found the Urban Caucus, which greatly supported Atlanta in the rural-dominated General Assembly. One of Marcus' more recognized accomplishments involves stopping the construction of Interstate 485, which threatened several Atlanta communities. As a result, the City of Atlanta named a park in honor of Marcus.

In 1981, Marcus ran for mayor of Atlanta against Andrew Young in a racially divided campaign. Ultimately, Marcus lost the race to Young, with 90% of white vote and Young having 90% of the black vote. Despite the bitter campaign, Marcus moved to heal the rift immediately after losing to Young and promised to help the new mayor pursue Atlanta's legislative package in the 1982 session.

In addition to his career as a politician, Marcus was secretary-treasurer of E&M Construction Company in Atlanta.

Marcus died of cancer in 1983 at age 55.

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SCOPE AND CONTENT:

The Sidney J. Marcus Papers include correspondence, bills, speeches, appointment books, printed material, and photographs. The collection primarily pertains to his legislative career, but also includes material relating to his 1981 campaign for Atlanta mayor against Andrew Young, and some personal papers.

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ORGANIZATION AND ARRANGEMENT

The papers, following generally the plan of organization set up by Marcus's office, are in eight series. These are: I. General; II. Legislative; III. Personal; IV. Political; V. Speech/Media; VI. Library; VII. Case Mail (closed) and VIII. Photographs. One box also contains a scrapbook. There is little correspondence or material for the year 1979 and none for 1975.

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN THIS REPOSITORY:

William Armstrong Smith Papers, 1966-1978

New York Times Research Materials, 1960s-1990s

Michael Thurmond Papers, 1972-1999

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection, 1840-1978

Rodney Mims Cook Papers, 1968-1983

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RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Sidney Marcus Campaign Collection, William Bremen Jewish Heritage Museum
Sidney J. Marcus Commercials, 1981, Political Commercial Archive, Department of Communication, University of Oklahoma
Harrison Williams Papers, Rutgers University
Ronald Reagan Papers, Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, California
Wyche Fowler Papers, Emory University
Andrew Young Papers, Auburn Avenue Research Library, Atlanta, Georgia
Ivan Allen, Jr. Papers, Atlanta History Center

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SERIES DESCRIPTIONS:

I. General 1968-1983
15 boxes, 7.5 linear ft.
The fifteen boxes of the General series contain correspondence, including miscellaneous, and material on most issues of the day for the city, state and county. Atlanta topics range from the Chamber of Commerce, Atlanta Boards of Education and Realtors, the city's budget, to the various neighborhood associations. Fulton County folders include those of the county commissioners and the Fulton/DeKalb Hospital Authority. The state of Georgia items cover a variety of subjects, including adult probation, the Georgia State Patrol and the State Wildlife Federation. Other matters as diverse as Jewish matter, gun control and Marcus's appointment books and calendars are in this series.

II. Legislative 1968-1983
14 boxes, 7 linear ft.
In the Legislative series there are separate folders for bills in which Marcus took an exceptional interest - Abortion, Equal Rights Amendment, Fulton County Delegation, Great Park/I-485, Health and Ecology, and Pari-mutuel. Some bills had folder titles set up according to the assigned bill number. In the correspondence folders, form letters may be found, as well as telegrams and cards from constituents urging the passage or defeat of certain bills.

III. Personal 1946, 1968-1983
1 box, 0.5 linear foot
The smallest series, Personal, contains some family matters, a folder on Boys High, certificates and awards, and posthumous eulogies and memorials.

IV. Political 1968-1983
4 boxes, 2 linear ft.
The Political series, in large, is a comprehensive record of Marcus's campaign for mayor of Atlanta. This was a close race, won by Andrew Young. There are also folders of other campaigns and of the National and Georgia Democratic Party. The library material was all clearly marked as such, either by Marcus or his office, and has been kept in tact in this processing.

V. Speech/Media 1976-1983
3 boxes, 1.5 linear ft.
Unlike the usual office organization plan of reverse chronological order, the Speech/Media files are by title alphabetically. Some folders in this series include material, outlines, revisions and/or other preparation notes. Others include correspondence and programs in re the occasion of the speech. There is a folder of press releases and one of speeches by others.

VI. Library 1968-1983
23 boxes, 11.5 linear ft.
Marcus's Library, as named by him, contains materials that he had saved on a wide variety of subjects. He probably used it as a source for speeches, as well as study of pending legislation. It includes publicity releases, state publications, and brochures printed as publicity for companies and organizations.

VII. Case Mail (Closed)
1 box .5 linear ft.

VIII. Photographs
68 photographs

The photographs for the most part are of Marcus with school groups or other visitors to the legislature, pages who served for him, and bill signings.

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ACCESS POINTS

Young, Andrew, 1932-
Georgia. General Assembly. House of Representatives.
Legislators --Georgia.
Mayors --Georgia --Atlanta --Election.
Atlanta (Ga.) --Politics and government --1951-
Georgia --Politics and government --1951-
Legislative records.

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FOLDER LIST

Not available at this time. Please contact Russell Library for more information.

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