Dr. R. A. McLemore, born June 6, 1903, was a noted educator, scholar and historian of Mississippi, and the fourth Director of the Department of Archives and History. He was educated at Mississippi College, George Peabody College and Vanderbilt University where he received his doctorate in 1933. Dr. McLemore has served as dean at Jones County Junior College, Ellisville, Mississippi; Judson College, Marion, Alabama, and at Mississippi Southern College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where in 1955 he was also acting president. In 1957 he was elected President of Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, and served until his retirement in 1968. After having served on the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and History since 1950, Dr. McLemore was chosen Director of the Department in 1969. Dr. McLemore has written several books of historical interest among which are Mississippi Through Four Centuries (with his wife, Nannie Pitts McLemore) and Our Nation's Story (with Everett Augspurger). (See Who's Who in America, 1970-1971.)

This collection covers Dr. McLemore's career, and includes correspondence, papers, and other materials relating to his various positions. There is one box of undated correspondence, and 22 boxes dated from 1910 to 1971 arranged chronologically. Besides this, there are two boxes of congratulatory letters dated June and July, 1957, arranged alphabetically, and one box of letters from Mrs. H. K. McLemore, his mother, 1959 to 1965. Also included are receipts and canceled checks, 1962 to 1964; biographical information; photographs; newspaper clippings; and miscellaneous printed matter. There is material relating to Dr. McLemore's early college days and teaching experience, and to his tenure at Judson College and Mississippi Southern College. Manuscripts of some of his speeches, articles and book reviews are in the collection, as well as some material on the International Relations Club at Mississippi Southern College, 1938 to 1944.