Toby Morris Collection

Collection

Identifier: CAC-CC-040

Staff Only

The Morris Collection is quite complete, encompassing materials from all five of his terms in office. Morris gave this collection to the University of Oklahoma over a period of years beginning in 1952. Consisting of 53 cubic feet of material, the collection covers the period 1946-1960. It is strongest on subjects of a local concern to western Oklahoma. Among the items found in the collection are correspondence, bills, publications, clippings, and photographs. An additional donation was made to the collection in 2016.

Dates

1946-1960

Creator

Morris, Toby, U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 6th district (1947-1953; 1957-1961), 1899-1973 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection (excluding the Photographs and Maps series which are stored on-site), is stored off-site and requires prior notice to access. If you wish to view these materials, please contact the Congressional Archives staff to arrange an appointment. Certain series of this collection are stored off-site and require prior notice to access.

Conditions Governing Use:

The University of Oklahoma asserts no claim of copyright over photographs in this collection taken by private citizens. Any publication of such photographs requires the consent of the copyright holder.

Extent

69.92 Linear Feet (55 containers)

Additional Description

Biographical Information:

Born in Granbury, Texas, on February 28, 1899, Toby Morris moved with his family to Walters, Oklahoma, at a young age. He left high school in 1917 to join the Army. After his discharge in 1919, Morris studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1920 at the age of 21. Four years later he became the prosecuting attorney for Cotton County. He also was involved in private practice and was a district judge. After two unsuccessful attempts, Morris defeated incumbent and fellow Democrat Jed Johnson in 1946 and was reelected in 1948 and 1950. Due to a declining population, the Seventh District was combined with the Sixth District in the 1952 election. In 1952, Morris became embroiled in a rivalry that would dominate the rest of his career in national politics. For the next five elections, Morris or Victor Wickersham (the Seventh District Democratic incumbent) won the Sixth District seat. Morris was successful in 1956 and 1958. While in office, he served on the following committees: House Administration, Democratic Steering Committee, Public Lands, and Armed Services.

In 1960, Morris again lost the nomination to Wickersham and never returned to national politics. He lived out his life as a judge, dying on September 1, 1973, in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Arrangement of Materials:

This collection is divided into 7 series. The General series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Departmental series is arranged alphabetically by agency, chronologically by year, and alphabetically by subject. The Topical series is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Legislative series is arranged chronologically by Congress and alphabetically by folder title. The Addition series is arranged alphabetically. Most of the photographs are grouped by content or event.