Bill Boner Papers
Dates
1979-1987
Creator
Boner, Bill
Summary/Abstract
William J. “Bill” Boner (born February 14, 1945) is a Tennessee educator and former Democratic politician. The Bill Boner Papers consist primarily of correspondence but also includes House resolutions, campaign organizational materials, booklets, briefings, brochures, newsletters, notes, and studies relating to Boner’s United States congressional career.
Quantity/Physical Description
14 linear feet
Language(s)
English
Repository
Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, (615) 898-2632
Restrictions on Access
None
Copyright
It is presumed that corporate and individual copyrights in manuscripts, photographs, and other materials have been retained by the copyright owners. Copyright restrictions apply. Users of materials should seek necessary permissions from the copyright hold
Preferred Citation
(Box Number, Folder Number), Bill Boner Papers, Albert Gore Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Acquisition
Processed By
Original processor undetermined.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged in five series by subject. There are also a number of photographic images stored separately from the rest of the papers in the photograph collections.
Biographical Note
William J. “Bill” Boner is a Tennessee educator and former Democratic politician. He served as a member of both the Tennessee and the United States House of Representatives (1979-1987). Boner was also the third mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, serving from 1987 to 1991.
A native of Nashville, he received his higher education at Middle Tennessee State University (’67) and Peabody College (MA, ’69). Boner served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and both taught and coached at the Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene College. He also enrolled in the former YMCA Night Law School (now Nashville School of Law), graduating in 1978. Boner served in the State House in 1974 and then decided to run in the Democratic primary against Fifth District Congressman Clifford Allen in 1978. He was successful in the election and was subsequently reelected four times.
In 1987, Boner ran for Nashville mayor, beating opponent Phil Bredesen in a runoff election. He did not seek reelection in 1991, choosing rather to take a brief hiatus from politics. Boner later resumed his former seat in the State House.
The former Congressman and mayor returned to education, serving as the last principal of the former Tennessee Preparatory School and in various secondary education positions throughout the greater Nashville area.
Scope and Content
The Bill Boner Papers consist primarily of correspondence but also include House resolutions, campaign organizational materials, booklets, briefings, brochures, newsletters, notes, and studies relating to Boner’s United States congressional career. The papers are arranged in 5 series by subject.
Series 1: Domestic and Foreign Issues (4 boxes, 38 folders)
This series contains booklets, briefings, and notes relating to various domestic and foreign issues under consideration during the time of Boner’s office. Several files focus on the issue of homelessness in particular.
Series 2: General Correspondence and Materials (10 boxes, 103 folders)
The General Correspondence and Materials series includes the many letters Boner received in reference to his congressional activities and assignments. Several newsletters are in this series, as well as photographs and letters relating to Boner’s trip to El Salvador.
Series 3: Proposed and Passed Legislation (8 boxes, approx. 50 folders)
This series consists of House resolutions and sponsored legislation with which Representative Boner was involved.
Series 4: Campaign Organizational Materials (2 boxes, 6 folders)
These six folders contain funding information, honorariums, planning reports, and questionnaires relating to Boner’s political campaigns.
Series 5: Legislative Committee Work (18 boxes, 195 folders)
This series comprises the bulk to the Boner Collection, containing briefings, correspondence, memorandums, notes, and other various forms of paperwork in relation to Boner’s committee work and participation.
Associated Materials
None
Related Collections
There are 85 photographic images stored separately from the rest of the papers in the photograph collections.
Subject Terms
Persons/Families
Bill Boner, Elizabeth Dole, Charles D. Ferris
Organizations/Corporate Names
Democratic Party, United States Congress
Places
Nashville, Tennessee; El Salvador
Subjects (General)
Politics, Democratic Party (U.S.), United States Congress, Legislation, Political Campaigns, Homelessness
Occupations
Material Types
Correspondence, Legislative bills, Memos, Booklets, Reports, Newsletters, Questionnaires, Photographic images
Albert Gore Research Center
P. O. Box 193, 1301 E. Main St.
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132
Main: 615-898-2632
University Archives: 615-898-5202
Director: 615-898-2633
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Todd Hall Suite 128
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