James R. Schlesinger Papers | Jimmy Carter Library

11 linear feet, 10 linear inches, 27 containers

The material in this collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, notes, mailing forms, polling material, booklets and miscellaneous printed material. This material was written and received by people involved with establishing the Department of Energy (DOE). These people included William A. Morrill of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, Alvin Alm, Assistant Secretary for Policy and Evaluation, George Hall of the Office of Energy Policy Planning, and Robert W. Fri, Acting Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Agency, which was later absorbed by the Department of Energy.

Office of Assistant to the President

On January 22, 1977, James Schlesinger became an Assistant to the President, advising Carter on issues relating to energy. This office played a major role in establishing the Department of Energy. James Schlesinger became the first secretary of the DOE on August 5, 1977. DOE was succeeded by the Federal Energy Administration (FEA), the Federal Power Commission, and the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA). The purpose of the new department was to simplify and centralize the operations of the federal government having to do with production, conservation and regulation of energy sources. Before the creation of the DOE, nine cabinet departments had their own energy programs or functions.

James Schlesinger

James Schlesinger was born in New York City in 1929. In 1956, he received a PhD from Harvard University. He was a senior staff member at RAND Corporation from 1963-1967. He was Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1971-1973. In 1973, he was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Schlesinger was the Secretary of Defense from 1973-1975. On January 22, 1977 he became the Assistant to the President. On August 5, 1977, he was appointed as the first Secretary of the Department of Energy. He resigned as the Secretary of the Energy Department on July 20, 1979. He became the Advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies at Georgetown University.

Textual

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series I: James Schlesinger's Administrative Files - NAID 150399

This series contains correspondence, notes, memoranda, and reports dealing with establishing and administering the Department of Energy.

Series II: James Schlesinger's Groups and Individuals Files - NAID 150427

This series contains correspondence, reports, and printed material from and about various groups and persons.

Series III: James Schlesinger's Correspondence Files - NAID 150570

This series contains correspondence, reports, and printed material sent in by groups and individuals with replies.

Series IV: James Schlesinger's Miscellaneous Projects and Issues Files - NAID 150593

This series contains correspondence, notes, reports, and printed material concerning energy matters.

Series V: Midge Costanza's Subject Files - NAID 150693

This series contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and printed material dealing with the Office of Public Liaison and filed by Shelly Weinstein, who worked for both Schlesinger and Costanza.

These papers contain documents restricted in accordance with applicable executive order(s), which governs National Security policies, applicable statutes/agency restrictions, and material which has been closed in accordance with the donor’s deed of gift.

Copyright interest in these papers has been donated to the United States Government. Some of the records may be subject to copyright restrictions (i.e. newspapers, publications, etc.). Researchers should contact the publisher for further information.

The records are held at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, 441 John Lewis Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

Schlesinger, James (1929-2014)

Costanza, Margaret [Midge] (1932-2010)

Weinstein, Shelly

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