Terry Sanford was a politician and President of Duke University from 1970 to 1985. He was Governor of North Carolina from 1961-1965, a United States Senator from 1986-1992, and campaigned for the Democratic Party nomination for President in 1972 and 1976. The Records and Papers of Terry Sanford include administrative records, personal papers, manuscripts, photographs, sound and video records, and other materials gathered by Terry Sanford during his careers as a politician and the President and President Emeritus of Duke University.

University administrative records, personal papers, manuscripts, photographs, printed matter, memorabilia, and other material created or received by Terry Sanford during his various careers as a lawyer, politician, and President and President Emeritus of Duke University. The bulk of material consists of records from his tenure as President, 1969-1985. A folder list for these records (Series 1). Also included are substantial records on Sanford's 1972 and 1976 campaigns for the Democratic Party nominee for President, as well as personal and political files related to his many interests and activities throughout his political career. Series 2 and Series 4 as well as portions of Series 3 are not fully processed although some content information is available in the series descriptions. [Note: Materials in this collection may use outdated terms such as "mentally retarded" to refer to people with mental disabilities.]