Floyd Millard Riddick papers, 1909-2000

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Summary

Creator:
Riddick, Floyd Millard, 1908-2000
Extent:
43.3 Linear Feet
43.8 lin. ft.
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
RL.01088

Background

Scope and content:

The Floyd Millard Riddick Papers, 1909 to 2000, (bulk 1950-1983), consist of correspondence, writings and speeches, printed material, senate documents, photographs, and organizational papers documenting Riddick's career as the Assistant Parliamentarian, Parliamentarian, and Parliamentarian Emeritus of the United States Senate. The Correspondence Series includes correspondence to and from senators, presidents, and other political figures concerning the rules and procedures of the United States Senate.

Between 1937 and 1947, some of the letters in the Correspondence Series relate to social conditions and political events in Germany before, during, and after World War II. Riddick, who resided in Germany during 1937 and 1938, maintained correspondence with friends and associates during this period. The letters provide insight into the ways in which the rise of National Socialism and the War affected this group of friends. Among the letters from Riddick's acquaintances in Germany is one giving an account of Krystallnacht; several from a young Jewish woman who wanted Riddick to assist her in obtaining admission to the United States as a student; and a few from a man who became a German soldier. A scrapbook and Riddick's personal diary (Miscellaneous Series) add further commentary on pre-war Germany.

Early in his senatorial career, Riddick was actively involved and interested in the organization and procedures guiding Congress. He began publishing books on parliamentary procedure in 1941, and by his retirement in 1974 he was honored for his dedication to congressional procedures and named Parliamentarian Emeritus. Considered to be the authority on parliamentary procedure, Riddick continues to edit and republish Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices. The Writings and Speeches Series consists primarily of notes, drafts, proofs, and copies of Riddick's published works and of notes for speeches made by Riddick. The Senate Activities Series contains material pertaining to Senate committees and task forces of which Riddick was a member. Agendas, pamphlets, and correspondence pertaining to other organizations of which Riddick was a member comprise the Organizational Records Series. This series includes papers relating to practicums on parliamentary issues held by Riddick for members of the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

Photographs of Riddick, his acquaintances, and his associates, many of whom were prominent political figures, make up the Picture Series. The Printed Material Series contains clippings, pamphlets, programs, and congressional documents pertaining to or of interest to Riddick. The Miscellaneous Papers Series includes an assortment of materials including awards Riddick received, documents relating to his trip to Germany, a diary (with transcription), scrapbooks kept by Riddick, and retirement tributes.

The addition (2007-0165) (50 items; 0.9 lin. ft.; 1928-2000) consists of Riddick's publications about parliamentary procedure; obituaries and other remembrances addressed to Riddick's wife upon his death; his high school diploma; and several VHS tapes, audiocassettes, and a mini-VHS cassette containing interviews and presentations by Riddick about his role as the Senate Parliamentarian.

The addition (2008-0179) (100 items; 0.6 lin. ft.; 1933-1992) contains publications, academic materials, clippings, correspondence, and miscellaneous materials, including a copy of the Senate Resolution 443 that declared Riddick to be the Parliamentarian Emeritus of the U.S. Senate. This addition has been interfiled with Accession (2007-0165).

The addition (2014-0073) (140 items; 0.2 lin. ft; 1937-2007) contains publications, biographical materials, clippings, correspondence, two print materials, photographs, and several miscellaneous drafs and documents. Publications include Riddick's descriptions of general Senate procedures and protocol,including those during impeachment. The bulk of the photographs, correspondence, and clippings are from the end of Riddick's life (1980-2000).

The addition (2017-0039) (0.5 lin. ft.; 1937-1997 and undated) includes documents pertaining to the American Institute of Parlimentarians, correspondence from Duke University, manuscript drafts (including a few pages of Riddick's remininscences of President Richard M. Nixon), and photographs from President Jimmy Carter's inaugeration.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1908, July 13
Born in Trotsville, NC
1931
Received BA from Duke University
1932
Received MA from Vanderbilt University
1935
Received PhD from Duke University
1936-1939
Taught Political Science at American University
1939-1943
Editor, Congressional Daily
1941
Published Congressional Procedure
1943-1947
Editor, Legislative Daily
1947
Established "Daily Digest" in Congressional Record
1947-1951
Senate editor for "Daily Digest"
1948
Published Congress in Action
1949
Published The U. S. Congress: Organization and Procedure
1951
Became Assistant Parliamentarian of the U.S. Senate
1958
Published Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices
1964
Became Parliamentarian of the U.S. Senate
Published second edition of Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices
1974
Named Parliamentarian Emeritus at his retirement. Published third edition of Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices
1981
Published fourth edition of Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices
1992
Published fifth edition titled Riddick's Senate Procedure: Precedents and Practices
2000
Died
Acquisition information:
The papers of Floyd Millard Riddick (1908-2000), U.S. Senate Parliamentarian 1964-1974 and author of books on parliamentary procedure, were donated to the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library between 1977 and 2017. The papers span the years 1909-2006.
Processing information:

Processed by: Katherine Hufstetler, Melissa Delbridge, Sandra Hack, Dan Daily, Randy Bryant, Wendy Elliot

Completed April 19, 1996

Additions processed by Lisa Chandek-Stark.

Updated by Alice Poffinberger on August 15, 2011.

Updated by Laurin Penland, May 2017.

Encoded by Stephen Douglas Miller and Lisa Chandek-Stark

Dr. Riddick provided funds for the processing of the collection.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in the papers of Floyd Millard Riddick have not been transferred to Duke University.

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